How to Make Student Name Plates

At the beginning of the school year, or any time a new crop of students enters the classroom, it can be overwhelming for teachers to remember the names of every student in every class. Some high school teachers may have more than 100 students in their care at one time, and it gets confusing trying to keep track of them all. To make identifying students easier, have them make name plates for their desks. Use them until you no longer need help remembering their names.

Give each student a piece of cardstock paper that is 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches (so you can get two of these out of one standard-sized sheet of cardstock). Have them fold the paper so that it is 8 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches.

Pass out markers or crayons to every student, and have them write their names in the center of the cardstock on one side. They should write the names they want to be called; any student who goes by a middle name or a shortened version of a name should write that rather than the given name. Tell them to make the names large and dark so that you can see them across the room.

Let the students decorate the rest of the name plates with designs that represent them. For example, an athletic student might draw pictures of sporting equipment while an artistic student might draw a palette with a paint brush.

Have the students prop up their name plates on their desks, so they sit up in a tent-like shape. This way the name will stand up and face the front of the room, where you will be able to see the name plate on each student's desk.

Collect the name plates at the end of every class period. This way, you will be able to get to know the students when you associate each one with his name plate as you collect them and pass them out again.