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Being a teacher can be hard (especially if you’re new!), and being an elementary music teacher presents its own problems. One of the hardest things about teaching elementary music is the NAMES. When you teach a lot of students, how do you remember all 700 names? And if you’re a new elementary music teacher, then how do you learn the 700 names? The answer: Name games. This is a great way to learn student’s names AND have fun– perfect for a back to school music lesson.
So let’s talk about a few of my favorite name games that you can use during the first day of school!
If you like these name games, you can make back to school even easier by purchasing the name games lesson pack on TPT– it includes all of these name games and has slides to help you teach the songs and the games.
And if you need more back to school help, you can get that name games slideshow included for free when you join the Back to School Bootcamp– an online course just for music teachers that covers everything you need to know to have your best year yet– name games, lesson ideas, room set up, classroom management, and more.
Click here to join and get instant access!
Why do name games for back to school?
First off– why are we playing the name games?
First, we are playing name games because they help you learn the students names. It also helps the students learn the other students names, which is extra important if your school switches the classes up a lot or if you have high transient community.
Name games help to reinforce students’ names, because you hear them saying it, and typically repeat it as well.
Secondly, you can hear how students pronounce their names, which helps you and everyone else make sure that you care being respectful of students’ names.
Lastly, it is an easy ice breaker for the end of the year, and most of them encourage solo singing in a simple way.
How to teach name games
With all of these name games, there’s a simple way that I teach them. I start by teaching whatever part EVERYONE does first. Go over this again and again until your students have learned that part of the name game.
Then, I’ll have them do their part and I’ll do the solo part. I explain it, then do it–making sure I point to them or to me so that they know when it is time.
With the kindergarteners, I sometimes use a puppet when I do the class’ part, and the puppet does the solo.
We practice with me doing the solo a few times so they get the hang of it. Then I explain that we will do the same thing, but this time, we will take turns. I typically ask who wants to go first– but I like to make it easy like starting at one end of the room or going in a circle.
Name games for all elementary music grades
First off, let’s start with a simple name game that works for anyone from K-5. I’ve used this in every grade level, and it’s the one that I come back to over and over again because it’s so simple. You can do it quickly, or you can draw it out to take up more time.
The name game? Name, Name.
Name Name
I heard a music teacher do this one while I was in college, and I’ve used it in every first day of school class since them.
Everyone says the “name name say your name” part, then one students tells us their name, then we all repeat it.
Note: It’s easier if you just say “your name is…”
When I teach it, I us the steps I outlined above. We will keep the beat on our bodies.
Then— especially with the older kids– we will do it a second time. This time, I will have the students add an action to go with their name. They will do the action when they say their name, then we will do the action when we say their name.
Name games for Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade
The last one will work for the younger kids and the older kids, but now let’s look at some singing name games for music class for the younger students–kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade.
Need more ideas? Here’s ideas for the first day of school in kindergarten and first grade!
Hickety Pickety
First off, Hickety Pickety! This is a simple and fun one that I like to use with the younger kids. For this one, they are using their singing voices. I like to do the chant first, this one next.
All the students sing the first part, and students respond with “my name is….” on smmsm.
This one is significantly more effective with a puppet. Sometimes I go with a bee for a nice theme, and sometimes I go for my owl Bizet, who is my singing helper.
Bounce High Bounce Low
Next up: A game! I’ve actually used this one successfully through 3rd grade– which is more fun because they are better at catching.
For this one, start with practice. We keep the beaton our bodies, and I keep the beat with the ball. Then the students will take turns coming up to the front and bouncing to the beat. (I have playground balls I bought off of Amazon here).
Then we get into a circle. One students bounces on the beat for BOUNCE high BOUNCE low BOUNCE the BALL to _______.
I typically ask the students who they are choosing first, that way we can all sing that person’s name. They BOUNCE the ball to the person.
Our rule is that is the ONLY person allowed to touch the ball– so if it rolls away, then they have to be the ones to get it.
Name games for 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade
Next up, let’s talk older elementary students: 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade. Name games are still effective, and knowing names is almost more important by this time, because the students are more grown and therefore more aware of whether or not you know them. And they want you to know them– they will not respect you if you don’t.
Need first day of music lessons? Here’s 2-3 grade lessons for the first week of school, and 4-5 grade lessons for the first week of school.
Pizza Pizza Daddy Oh
Is this my favorite or the one below this? It’s hard to pick a favorite fourth grade or fifth grade name game!
For this one, we start by learning the “pizza pizza daddy o” part. I slowly show them the footwork– cross feet, uncross feet, cross, uncross, feet together. We get faster and faster, and I add the lyrics to it.
Then we do the second part with me being the person with the solos. I will go over it a few times, picking a few different options each time so they know what their options are. (The I like I typically use food.)
Then I have them close their eyes and think of their answers. Give a thumbs up with they have their idea. This way we aren’t stopping the song as much for them to think.
Students can do this in a circle, with the soloist in the middle, or (for a calmer version) in rows with the soloist in the front.
Jump In Jump Out
I’m not sure which of these two is my farorite name game for the older students, but this is my go to first day oa school lesson.
Here’s how it goes:
To teach this one, I have the students learn the movements with the first part as well as they can. Then I do the verse, using my name. Just like before, we have a few rounds with me being the person in the middle. Then I have them think of what they will say when it’s their turn. Then we will to it. This one works best in a circle, but you can also have them do it in rows for a slightly calmer version.
If I use this in the first month of school, I typically don’t make them have a turn, but I tell them if no one goes, then we will have to end the game.
I use food for the “I like”, and then give them lots of options for things everyone can do quickly for the “I can”.
Note: I like this one for the first month of school, because you can quickly gauge how the class is going to behave. Some will want to do the newest dance moves and show off, whereas others will have everyone pick the same thing over and over again. You can also see how well they will get along, and how much energy they will have.
Alright, friends, that is a few of my favorite name games for the first day of elementary music! This is note even close to all of them, but it will get you started.
You can get these and more in a ready-to-go set of slides to help make your first week of school a breeze in my TPT shop.
Need more help? You can get these FREE with the Back to School Bootcamp!This is a mini course tht has a ton of information nd activities to help you start off this year strong.
Happy teaching!
Becca
