How to learn your students' names

• Hand out large index cards (A6) which the students then fold in half producing a pretty little name card that can stand on the students' desks.


• Provide felt-tip pens for the students (preferably dark colours) and have students write out their first names and if there are more than one Laura or Simon also the first letter of their surname.


• After two lessons realize that most students have misplaced their name card or forgot to get it out of their bag.


• Take a digital camera, ask students to hold up their name cards just like in a mug shot and take a picture of each student providing a lot of amusement and hilarity and improving everybody's mood.


• Batchconvert the pictures compressing them and rotating them.


• Assemble a document containing all the students' names and the small version of their picture above it. This may be slightly time-consuming, as getting the lay-out right and identifying the students might be a bit tricky.


• Keep the document on your desk and use it to help you refer to the pupils' by name. You can also use it to memorize names and corresponding faces.