Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tag... You're It! The Art of Making Name Tags


School is just around the corner and I love using these name tags in my classroom. These are easy to make and the children think they are so special. I am not a fan of the standard name tag made with soft yarn since my students often chew on them or twist the cord around until I am fearful that they will cut off their circulation!
Right? Kinder teachers know exactly what I mean. 


These tags can be purchased in Walmart and the clips are sold separately. I use it as a learning tool in the beginning making all the vowels in red. I put a pocket chart outside of my classroom with these tags and the parents put them on their own children, avoiding any mistakes when you are meeting a shy child ( or crying student) on the first day. You could even send these in the mail with your welcome letter! 


Notice that each tag has a small icon under it. Many of our students come to school without being able to recognize their own name. The icon under their name serves as a scaffold to help them remember which card belongs to them. After the first few days I play all kinds of games with these tags to build their letter knowledge and to help them recognize and write their name. I am giving you a set for your classroom and this is a special gift for those of you teaching transitional kindergarten! Click here if you want these and please be sure to follow me for more freebies. Do you have a better name tag idea? I hope you will share your ideas! 
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52 comments:

  1. Michelle GriffoJuly 25, 2012 at 1:22 AM

    Omg. I always worry that they will twist the yarn and cut off their circulation too! ha, I need to get these plastic goodies!

    Michelle
    Apples and ABC's

    ReplyDelete
  2. KateJuly 25, 2012 at 4:09 AM

    I love the idea of having an icon based nametag. I am going to have to try this year!
    Kate
    http://funinecse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mrs. RodmanJuly 25, 2012 at 4:11 AM

    Fran, I am unable to access the name tags. Is anyone else having trouble?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mrs. McHaffieJuly 25, 2012 at 4:26 AM

    Your name tags are just precious! I love the different icon for each name tag. I never thought about that! Brilliant! :)
    I usually use yarn with name tags that I laminate, however, they always break them and they always complain about the yarn itching...so...this is going to be my new method.
    Thanks for the super cute freebie and great idea!

    Kelly
    Beg, Borrow, Steal

    ReplyDelete
  5. meostressedJuly 25, 2012 at 4:46 AM

    These look great (though I can't get the link to work)! How many come in a package at Walmart? Do you reuse them each year or just buy new? Do any of the kids chew on them? That's what I always dread about name tags!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Miss TrayersJuly 25, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Great ideas-I really need to get some of those badges. The quote at the top just cracked me up-they will eat just about anything, won't they? :)

    NotJustChild'sPlay

    ReplyDelete
  7. KimberlyJuly 25, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    Hi Fran,
    Love your name tags! I just use a piece of scrap book paper (usually cardstock) with their names printed on a blank label. I use different card stock for each kid and their name tag matches their locker tag to help them find their things. Then our school gives us the name tag holders.
    Kimberly
    Funky First Grade Fun

    ReplyDelete
  8. PamJuly 25, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    Love these but the link won't pull up

    ReplyDelete
  9. AllisonJuly 25, 2012 at 6:13 AM

    Hi Fran! Thanks for the freebie. I tried to grab it but it said "not found". Perhaps, some sort of computer glitch. I love using name tags for class activities, too. I always make a second set and make a name bag. The name bag has the name tags (just first names), pictures of the children, and letter tiles. Each child brings the bag home for a night and they practice the names with their families and "introduce" their new friends to their families. Please stop by my blog for some freebies I can share with you!

    Allison
    Climbing the Monkey Bars

    ReplyDelete
  10. AshleyJuly 25, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Hey Fran!! We do the same thing at our school but yours are way cooler! I love the idea of playing games. You have so many great ideas. I can only dream of my blog eventually being half as good of yours!

    http://kinderkronicles.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fran KramerJuly 25, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    Sorry about the link. I fixed it and it should work. I am tired.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 6:55 AM

    Love the icon idea..thanks for the suggestions :)

    http://mspasquakinder.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kerri BucknerJuly 25, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Love these name tags. Looks like a trip to walmart is in my future. I'm going to be in trouble for spending more money. Thanks for sharing.
    Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    I used these awesome tags last year! Thank you so much. I will be downloading these and using them again this year. The tag holders at Walmart are great, cheap and I don't get nervous about choking.
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    LOVE THESE! I used them last year and they worked great with the Walmart clear tag holders.
    Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  16. CaroleJuly 25, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    Thanks so much for the freebie. I am going to use them. I was able to get it with no problem. I know exactly what you mean about the yarn necklaces:)
    Thanks for sharing,
    Carole
    kindercarole

    ReplyDelete
  17. Patsi K in MNJuly 25, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    LOVE this Fran! I bought the tags and clips last year and never used them - so with your FREEBIE I'm all set! I sometimes print address labels with their names in a big font and they stick right on! Great for a quick sub plan fill-in! However, they don't last all day usually. I like to cut the end off of a legal size envelope and put the stack of name tags in the envelope and then slide the name cards out revealing one letter at a time time and they guess/predict whose name it will be.

    Patsi K in MN
    www.abc123kindergarten.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. PinglesJuly 25, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Love these! You had told us about them at a SD and I ran right out. So cheap and reusable! You are so right about the independence, so come in totally doing it themselves, others try, and then there are the ones who just wait for you to do it for you....ugh, good informal assessment!

    I haven't used the icons before but I certainly shall now. Great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kourtney PaytonJuly 25, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    Great idea! The only thing I do different is that I don't put them in the badge holders...I just laminate and punch three holes at the top and stick the holder through..that way if they chew on them, they are chewing on the name tag itself and not a plastic holder. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Marielle SlappeJuly 25, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    Thanks, these are superand cute & I love the icons! I wondering... How did you print their names on them?

    marislappe@gmail.com
    marislappe.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Marielle SlappeJuly 25, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    Thanks, these are super cute & I love the icons! I was wondering, how did you print their names on them?

    marislappe@gmail.com
    marislappe.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    Thanks so much for these name tags....YEA!! One thing less to worry about.
    Meg

    ReplyDelete
  23. Pam PhillipsJuly 25, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    I can't type on these adorable nametags. Please advise. Plus, I have used these nametags from Walmart for several years. Works great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    Thanks for the freebies! Love them. I used the name tags from Walmart last year and loved them. Thanks again for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    Thanks for the freebies... they are so cute! Love them! I used the name tag holders from Walmart last year and loved them. Thanks again for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Isabel ZJuly 25, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    These are absolutely adorable. Thank you so much for sharing them. I too wonder how you go about typing on them?

    ReplyDelete
  27. CarolJuly 25, 2012 at 6:35 PM

    Oh I love these! Super cute! I was just thinking about name tags today. :)
    -Carol
    Mrs. Cobb's Kinder Sprouts
    Come see my poster giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fran KramerJuly 25, 2012 at 6:39 PM

    These need to stay in a PDF file due to copyright regulations but you can easily use an address label and lay in right on top or write in each child's name.

    ReplyDelete
  29. nvailleJuly 25, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    Love these! Thank you - I love the idea of keeping them in a basket for a substitute to use - saves having to keep sticker labels in my sub binder:)

    ReplyDelete
  30. TraceyJuly 25, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    I'm your newest follower. I've added a lot of blogs to my list tonight, but I'm most excited about yours. Shhh!!! ;)

    Tracey
    Our Cool School

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  31. UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Thanks Fran! Another excellent idea :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kelley DollingJuly 25, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    Fran . . . these are fantastic. Not only are they cute as all get out, but they just make sense. I am so showing these to all my KInder friends :) Great post today, my friend.

    Kelley Dolling
    Teacher Idea Factory

    ReplyDelete
  33. PinglesJuly 25, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    I saw the comments about the wanting to type in the names. I wanted to also but then thought about using the clear labels I have to print out the names and then just stick them to the front. Yippeee, I like them all typed up nice and neat!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ketchen's KindergartenJuly 26, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    You are the best! Thanks for sharing. And for giving me another excuse to go to Walmart (as if I needed one - haha). :)

    Arianne
    Ketchen's Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  35. DebbieDJuly 27, 2012 at 6:55 PM

    Thank you for the cute name tags! I think I will try this method.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Susie BuetowJuly 28, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    Wow this is wonderful. We love teacher ideas and can't wait to take a peek at more on your blog.

    If you have time, please share it in our Crafty Showcase. We run it Sat-Thur and showcase our favorites on Friday.

    Thanks much

    Susie @Bowdabra
    http://bowdabrablog.com/2012/07/27/saturday-showcase-craft-projects-12/

    ReplyDelete
  37. Maggie's Kinder CornerJuly 29, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    Fran,
    I have done this for years with student's lunch tickets, cubby labels, etc. I was about to make these tags for the name tag holders, then happened to look at my blog roll! Thank you for saving me so much time. I am using clear mailing labels to put names on. Any venture at a guess on the font size for the space on your tags? I can figure it out, but thought you might have an idea. I have owned Schoolhouse Zaner-Bloser type fonts since...ummm...1999? I still use it every day. However, the size for it is much smaller than other fonts with the same pt size. What school font do you use? Love you girl!
    Thanks!
    Maggie (Maggie's Kinder Corner)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Mrs. LarremoreJuly 29, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    Fran- These are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing them! Those yarn name tags drive me crazy for the same reasons you listed. Since I am going back into the classroom this year I am so happy to have something else to use. Thanks!
    Chalk Talk

    ReplyDelete
  39. JeannieJuly 29, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Fran - LOVE LOVE LOVE your name tags and how you use vowels as a different colors (something I don't usually bother with at the beginning - but why not?)

    I don't use the yarn lanyards either - they will choke themselves!

    Also love the idea to post them outside where parents put them on.....will do that this year!

    jeannie
    Kindergarten Lifestyle

    ReplyDelete
  40. Curious CatherineJuly 29, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    I wonder... have you ever heard of letter links. What it is is finding a picture of an object that has the same start-sound/letter as the child's name. THAT way, they can learn to make connections. I think it would be a GREAT idea.

    ReplyDelete
  41. LallygirlJuly 30, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    I use a website called www.eichild.com as they have a free Just for Me label maker. These labels also have icons. I make labels for the childrens hooks to hang their bags, on the storage cubby hole and even their take home file that are all matching for the begiining of the year.

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousJuly 31, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    I Love the idea of the icons on the nametags. Being new to kindergarten, there is still so much I don't remember to think about. I remember now being surprised last year at how many of my kinders didn't recognize their name and how long it took some of them. Last year I wanted to use the badges, but Wal-Mart was sold out. I used plastic lacing instead of yarn, it helped a little...but not enough. I also like the idea of having the parents put the nametags on before they get into the classroom. I made sure that the kiddos wore their nametags to their special classes for the first few weeks. Our special teachers were appreciative, as the other teachers didn't seem to do that.

    Terri Izatt
    KinderKapers

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousJuly 31, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    I love your icon idea Fran! Too cute. I purchased these from Office Max last year and somehow they ended up all wet and gross after about a month. (don't ask me how a kinder could get these wet... drinking fountain, chewing...) I will need to add these to my Walmart list!

    ReplyDelete
  44. ToniaAugust 1, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    Fran,
    Thank you so much! I can't wait to try these new nametags. They are so cute. I was in a big hurry and bought vertical instead of horizontal, so I'm on my way back to Walmart!
    tonia
    mrsvento.blogspot

    ReplyDelete
  45. SheriAugust 1, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    Thanks for sharing...very cute!

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  46. SheriAugust 1, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    Thanks for sharing...very cute!

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  47. Mrs. Cher HarrisonAugust 1, 2012 at 10:56 PM

    So cute!! :) Thanks!

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  48. We Teach Like A RockstarAugust 6, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Hey, Fran! I bought all of the parts that I needed a few weeks ago and was thrilled to see your cute freebie name tags. I can't wait to make them. Thanks, LuAnn

    ReplyDelete
  49. UnknownOctober 9, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Thanks for this post.Very important and timely article. Information provided is concise and informative. Keep up the great work!
    buy enametag

    ReplyDelete
  50. UnknownJuly 2, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    Your name tags are precious,Thanks for sharing this to us, your blog is really great we can learn something to it, keep up the good work my friend.

    Badges Australia

    ReplyDelete
  51. UnknownAugust 8, 2013 at 1:54 AM

    Every time i visit this blog find some thing new in it. This time the idea you have given for the name badges is superb.Its so colorful and very innovative.

    professional name badges



    ReplyDelete
  52. Recognition ExpressJanuary 16, 2018 at 10:30 PM

    Good efforts. All the best for future posts. I have bookmarked you. Well done...

    Magnetic Name badges
    Name Tags

    ReplyDelete

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