Building Relationships by Learning Names

Mar 11

SEL Domain(s): Relationship Building, Self Confidence, Self Control, Problem solving, Empathy

Relational Risk: Low

Grades: 3-4

*Lesson may need to be modified to meet the specific needs of students

Students will learn and practice their classmates' names in order to build a sense of connection, safety, and belonging in the classroom.

Greet students and introduce yourself.
Explain SEL: “We’re learning how to understand ourselves and others, and how to feel safe and connected at school.”
Review rug expectations: Eyes watching, ears listening, voices off, bodies calm.
Teach and practice attention-getter: “Waterfall, waterfall” → “Shhhhh”

Sit in a circle. Have each student say their name aloud. Group repeats each name together.
Play “Name Impulse”:
- Round 1: Say the name of the person on your left quickly around the circle (time it!).
- Round 2: Say the name of the person on your right.
- Round 3: Change seats and repeat.
Emphasize full adult participation to model enthusiasm and inclusion.

Distribute paper and crayons/markers to each student.
Students draw one picture for each letter in their name (e.g., J-A-N-E = Jellyfish, Apple, Nest, Eagle).
Give 5 minutes for drawing.
Collect and shuffle drawings. Guess who each picture belongs to together as a class.
Reflect as a group: “It feels good when others know our names. It helps us feel safe and seen.”

Toss a beach ball with “get to know you” questions (e.g., Favorite color? Fun fact?).
Students answer the question under their hand when they catch the ball.
Remind students: they can always pass if they don’t feel ready to share.

Reinforce: “In this space, we respect each other’s boundaries and comfort.”

Ask:
- “What did you enjoy today?”
- “What’s one new thing you learned about someone else?”
End with gratitude: “I’m so glad we got to know each other a little more today!”

Tanya Tomato