Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment: Getting-to-Know-You Activities

Shandreka Rankin

It’s August, the month when many students are saying goodbye to summer to begin their journey with a new teacher in their new classroom. Most teachers are planning beginning-of-the-year activities, where they will focus on getting to know their students and families. Although relationships are vital to the education process, it is also important to get to know your students without causing trauma or triggering harmful memories.

While conferring with a teacher recently, I learned of their plans to have students research the history of their family names. As an instructional coach with this school, I often find that we have challenging conversations. This is someone I trust, so I knew I could bring up some things that might sting a bit and still be able to keep the focus on students.

I asked this teacher to consider their foster population, and students who may have had to change their names for various reasons. I also asked this teacher to consider the Black American experience. I explained that most of our families’ names were given to us by enslavers.

As an alternative, I would suggest honoring a name story by asking your students, “What does your name mean to you and those who love you?” This will give each student an opportunity to uplift themselves in a new environment in a way that leaves a positive feeling.

Watch Zion share her name story. 

Looking for other ways to honor your students' name story? See the suggestions below:

Discussion prompts/ activities

• Introduce yourself. Share the pronunciation of your name and one fun fact. (Students can introduce themselves in person, in a virtual session, or through a platform such as Flipgrid or Seesaw.)
   
• Do you have any nicknames? What do your friends and family call you? 
   
• How did you get your name? What are the names of those you live with?
   
• Have students write an acrostic poem using their first name. (This can be done individually or students can partner up, learn about their partner and write the acrostic poem for their partners first name. Then, provide time for sharing.)
   
• "I am ..."  Have students choose one word that describes them. When they log in they can add their word next to their name. Then, go around and give students the opportunity to explain their word. 
   
• What does your name mean? Find out and share. 
   
• Have students create a name tent that showcases their name in the color and design they wish. They can share virutally or place on their desk or table.

Books and Excerpts About Name and Identity

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Andy, That's My Name by Tomie dePaola

Baba, What Does My Name Mean? by Rifk Ebeid

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

My Name is Sangoel by Karen Williams

My Name Is Wakawakaloch! by Chana Stiefel

My Name Is Yoon by Helen Recorvits

One by Kathryn Otoshi

Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (Excerpt "My Name" on pages 10 & 11 - sample available on Amazon)

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie

We're All Wonders by R.J. Palacio

Why Couldn't I Have Been Named Ashley? by Imma Achilike

Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow