1.2: My name

In these activities students explore the significance of their own and classmtes' names.

Tasks

List students' names vertically on a chart with four columns headed "Given name", "Family name", "Meaning" and "Why".
Explain that we each have a family name and one name (or two or three) that is given and special to each one of us.
Ask students to say in turn "My name is... " and point to it on the chart.
Ask the class whether anyone knows what their name means. Look up the meaning of each student's given name in a book of names and write it in the "Meaning" column of the chart. If it's not in the name book, students can ask their parents to write a meaning for them.
Students take a note home to their families asking why they were given their name and whether it has a meaning.
At school, ask students to share how and why they got their particular or given name. Record the information on the chart.
Ask students to site in a circle. As a model, complete the following statement: "My name is X and your (student on the right) name is Y." Starting with the student on your left, ask students to take turns to complete the following statement: "My name is Z and your name is X".

Teacher Notes

Different cultures in Australia may have different naming systems. Some cultures order their given and family names differently, some have masculine and feminine forms and some follow the maternal rather than the paternal line. Teachers should be sensitive to all variations. If necessary refer to students' enrolment forms.
Circle activities encourage active listening and participation. Students sit in a circle with the teacher. To indicate turn and to give students greater focus and confidence when speaking to their whole group a ‘microphone' e.g. bean bag, paper roll may be passed around.

Resources