I create a grid and write down where everyone is sitting. Sometimes students change seats though, but the grid tends to help me for the most part. I always review the grid just before class. I also like to personally hand back all assignments. This give me a little bit more face time with each student and helps with names.
Hi Shawn,
Good strategy. Even the giggles that come from getting a name wrong now and then help with remembering a name, plus it brings a little variety to the class.
Gary
i find that by greeting the students at my classroom door that i tend to pick up on there names a lot faster
I start from minute one of the class. I try and make sure I use everyone's name over and over, and it seems to eventually stick. I make a point of saying that I want to know everyone's name, and that I'll get it wrong on occasion, and it usually causes some giggles, but it works for me.
Hi Gary,
I am a big game person myself. I use games because it gets students involved and really helps them to retain the material. I have a Jeopardy game board on my computer so we can play it much like the real game, with all of the "bells and whistles". The students love it and it results in your last point, they are having fun while learning.
Gary
One great tool that works for me is learning people through shared experiences. Try some in-class role playing games where you are also a participant with the students. A silly game of Jeopardy can create some quick bonding and the shared 10 minutes of fun (or chaos --- it doesn't seem to matter which) helps reinforce certain characteristics about differerent students to help me remember them. For larger groups try a Family Feud game where teams play against each other.
The more energy in the game the more you learn about the students.
Be careful you don't have too much fun...they'll want to do it every day. Imagine that, having fun in school while we learn .
Hi John,
Wow, that is fast. I would use a digital camera, take their picture create an album with their names and a significant fact about them under it and then review it before each class. In addition, I would carry it with me and refer to it as I approach each student group and try to recall all of their names. With the length of the class you should be able to work through all of the students two or three times before the end of the class.
Gary
