How can I use children's name as a teaching tool?

More specifically, how can I use children's names to help them understand and learn the letters of the alphabet?

How can I use children's name as a teaching tool?
Have you ever done the names made into words like this?





B ashful


0 rganized


B londe


B eautiful


Y oung





Not sure how young they are, but you could also do word games....see how many words you can make out of your own name.
Reply:I teach first grade and in the beginning of the year I do several lessons using their names:


1) Having names on Sentence strips and organizing them alphabetically.


2) Have each childs name and coming up with a verb or description with that same letter: ex. Ryan runs (This lesson is especially fun when silly verbs are thought of)


3) Use the same names from sentence strips on #1 and have the children find similarities and differences in their names. (# of letters, beginning letters, words found in their names, ending letters, etc.) I am always amazed at how much the students recognize.)


4) Write their names on sentence strips again with spaces between each letter. Cut the names apart and put each name in an enveloped with the name on the front. Give each child their own envelope to put their name in the correct order. After this, have the children switch envelopes to make other classmates names. After they do it one or two times, see if they can try without looking at the name on the front of the envelope. (I also put the envelopes in the pocket chart center so that they can go back to this activity during their workstations.)
Reply:sort by first letter
Reply:I teach kindergarten and use names to teach many different skills. Here are some ideas-





- graph the letters in the names in class


- sort the letters in their first name by characteristic (vowel %26amp; consonant, tall letters vs short letters, etc)


- Name cheers (students cheer out the letters in each other's names using a variety of cheers)


- Word Wall (use students names on the word wall with their pictures)


- Name puzzles (spray paint puzzle pieces white and use a sharpie to write the letters of a name on joining pieces. Put the pieces in a baggie with the name on the front and a picture of the student)





I hope some of these ideas are helpful!