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Monday, August 15, 2011

Please don't eat your name tag!




Are you still using name tags with soft yarn? I did this for years until I figured out this system. These badge holders are super expensive in office supply stores but not in Walmart. You can use them year after year and when I have a sub I leave these for her to use. Easy-peasy tags that the kids love to wear. I put them in a pocket chart outside on the first day so the parent can help their child. I also make an extra set of cards with icons in case a new child comes and I need to write in their name quickly. I keep extra badge holders on hand. When students are wearing these we can play name games easily. So, if your kinders tend to eat their name tag or twist it around their neck until they turn blue, this might be your solution! Try it!

39 comments:

Jan K. said...

This is a great idea and I've been using yarn for 26 years! How did you create the nametags? It must be a porgram????

Jan K. said...

This is a great idea and I've been using yarn for 26 years! How did you make the nametags? It must be a software program???

Cindy said...

Hi Fran,
I saw these badges the other day and wondered how they would hold up. I put the yarn aside years ago and went with cutting pieces of felt down to "name tag size" and wrote names on with a sharpie. I love using these badges with teachers at PD sessions, I will give these a try with my kids.
THANKS!

Kathleen said...

I use these too Fran! SOOO much easier!! Do you use the icons so the kids that can't identify their name use the icons to help them identify their name. phew -- did that make sense?

Fran Kramer said...

You can make them in word easily.
I just add a little color and clip art.

Fran Kramer said...

They hold up very well and I have used them for 2 years but the price is so minimal that I don't mind replacing them each year.
Kathleen- you are so right. I put the icon on everything to support their recognition of their name. It goes on their photo-name card, cubbie, etc. Eventually... they do not need the extra support unless they come to school at four!

Jennifer K. said...

Great idea, thanks for posting! One of the ideas I do later in the year is sight word name tags. Each student is called by a sight word all day - the kids think it is so silly, but they are practicing those words all day long!

Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten

Tiffani said...

OMG- I LOVE the idea of putting them in the pocket chart outside on the first day.

✿Tiffani Time 4 Kindergarten
Thirty-one gifts

Jamika said...

I love this idea! I stopped using yarn and my name tags have velcro closure but of they still like to twist them. I also like how have the vowels typed in red!! Awesome!!

Tanya said...

Love this! I just picked up the badge holders at Walmart this past weekend. They were out of the clips of course...but I'll keep going back until they have them again.
☺ Tanya
First Grade is Fantabulous!

Fran Kramer said...

I make little books of the sight words using these badge holders but I love the idea of wearing it. I would just put it on the other side of their name tag! You are so clever!
Fran

LeAnne Cooper said...

These are perfect! I am going to try them out this year for sure. I usually just do the cutesy sticker name tags which don't last until their special classes on days when they're in the afternoon. These should hold up much better, AND I can use them for the name recognition games in Open Court for unit 1! Fantastic! :o)
Thanks so much for sharing!!
LeAnne

Hangin' with Mrs. Cooper

Unknown said...

This is what I use too! I love them! Thanks for the idea of using them for sight words! Love it! :)
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls

Colleen said...

I have been using these for years! It does work wonderfully! We also put their PIN number for lunch on the back so when they buy they can quickly look at their number or the cafeteria manager can help.

Unknown said...

Very cute! I use the same Id badge holder and clips for my students for lunch tags! I love all your ideas on your blog. I would love for you do check and add my blog :)

http://skippersjungle.blogspot.com

Kelly said...

What a great idea! I was thinking I might be able to use these to clip onto their "browse bags", with zip ties. That way they hold up a bit better! Thanks again!!! :0)

Unknown said...

What font did you use? I totally forgot that I bought these last year and didn't use them. :) Love your blog!

kimbersk said...

I also use this idea. Instead of creating their name plate on the computer I use the name badges that you can get in the Target dollar section and write their names on them. I also put my name small at the bottom of the nametag so if they get lost they can easily be returned to me :)

Megan said...

This is genius! We have been in school a week and I am making new name tags today because the old ones are trashed already. I am so glad I checked out your site before I made the new name tags! Megan(off to walmart)

Mel B said...

This is a great idea!! I have been dreading my strangling yarn name tags that I need to create by next week. This would make it so much easier! What section can you find the name badges and clips?

Joni Taylor said...

This idea has worked well for me also. I like to use the Avery business card template and print on the business cards. I actually print 3 sets, one for name tags, one for book bins (the card fits in a clear adhesive pocket), and one for the book bag that gets sent home each evening. I laminate them first, especially the name tags. I have had some get ruined from drinks at the water fountain.

Jaime said...

I've used these for 9 years now!!! I actually found them at the Dollar Tree this past spring and bought a whole ton... I find my kids still eat them, but they are easily cleaned. I once had a kid chew on it for so long that the paper inside got soggy and wet and by the next week I noticed mold. EEEEWWWWW!!!!! LOL

Nancy Zider said...

Fran, thanks for the tip about getting the nametags at Walmart. I have used these for years and they just now need to be replaced. I paid too much at an office store but will be headind to Walmart.
By the way when I discovered your blog, I was inspired to start one of my own. Thanks for all of your hard work and sharing.
http://mrsziderszanydaze.blogspot.com

krazykindergarten said...

Hi Fran, We went to these name tags a few years ago. They are awesome. I put them in a pencil box and leave them on my desk for a substitute to use when needed. Our WalMart Minnesota carries them so it must depend on the area. I still have those students who chew on them a bit, but they last all year. I also use the clip for a few years and replace the plastic part each year.

Fran Kramer said...

Hang with me Mrs. Cooper because my district is still using OCR. The 2 sight word packets I have align to what you are doing and grab the hw freebies too. The name tags have all the vowels in red which is part of OC's name work. Enjoy!

Fran Kramer said...

Okay Jaime- you win for grossest name tag story ever!!! I laughed so hard when I read that. Thanks for sharing!
We could talk about this for a long time but you have to be a primary teacher to even get how important name tags are. I love when I see teeth marks all over the tag.What is that about?

Unknown said...

What font did you use? I love that the vowels are red. We don't use OC but I still put all vowels in red.

Pam said...

I use these also. My kids have a lunch they are to memorize. We put their first/last name and lunch number on the card. Makes it much easier for the lunch lady. I also have tags that say "I am on my way to the nurse" (office, library etc) Then it has my name and room number on it. Just in case they get lost.

Jodi said...

I decided to go to this method this year. I went to Wal Mart last night and couldn't find the nice clip badges. After seeing that Wal Mart DOES have the clip badges I ordered some online tonight! Thanks for the tip!

Becca said...

Fran, thank you so much. When I see your grand ideas, I just think to myself.....genius. I have been struggling with tangled yarn, almost choked students, and broken name tags. I went immediately to Walmart and bought them out! And now to have the actual tags to copy. You are a peach! Thanks you. Rebecca

Unknown said...

Hey I use these too. Are they not a party? This will be my 3rd year with the same ones. I love your cute tags. I just use the Dollar Spot $1.00 sticker name tags. But as always yours are super cute and take it up a notch.

Thanks for the love gift

Little Priorities said...

Thank you for the template. This year all teachers have to wear badges so how cute will this be!! Thanks!

Little Priorities

Ms. Gaither said...

This is AWESOME Fran! I will be making these for my class because I have a meeting on Tuesday and will be away from my class--my sub sill be delighted, I am sure! I have been using the sticky tags from the Dollar Tree and giving them a new one for the first few days--this is SOOO much better! You are a "SMARTIE"!
Barb
meet me at the zoo...
kinderzoo

Unknown said...

Excellent idea. I've used the necklace ones & it's a nightmare...how come I never have good ideas like this? I'll try to remember to post back & let you know how it goes. Walmart was out of the cheapie ones so I got some at Staples.

Evie said...

I have been using these for the last couple Thank you for all your fabulous ideas! I love your blog and your TPT products!

Mike McQueen said...

Great idea for nametags.

Mike @ Name Badges - Smart Edge Badges

Unknown said...

I love, love, love, love this!!! I can't wait to go to WalMart. (Wait, maybe they're open 24 hours . . .) Great idea and system! THANK YOU! I can't wait to share this with my team!

Unknown said...

Very lovely and unique ideas of yours impressed me deeply. I have tried them and got successful in making few. Thanks for sharing.
Badges Australia

Unknown said...

I was fed up of those old badges and tried your one. They are super expensive in office supply stores but I purchased from walmart and even Kids love them. Very unique idea. Great post.

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