Most students come into Kindergarten able to write their first name, but are they writing it correctly? As their Kindergarten teacher, you must ensure all your students are correctly writing their name. The first few weeks of school, I like to add in extra name writing practice to work on using lowercase letters and proper letter formation for each students first name. Today, I am going to share how I teach name-writing and some fun and FREE name-writing activities you can try with your Kindergarten students.

Teaching students how to write their name

Your students will start on the first day of skill with a wide range of writing ability. Some will barely be able to write their first name, while others have been writing words since they were in preschool. It is essential to spend a week or two doing various name-writing activities, as well as teaching proper pencil grip.

Quick Writing Assessment: First Day of School Activities

Even though assessment is not on your mind on the first day of school, there are a few activities you can do on the first day to see where your students are at with their writing.

Anchor Chart Welcome Activity

This is a great first day activity you can try with your students. They can introduce themselves, say a fun fact, then write their name on the anchor chart. This will show you who is writing their name with all uppercase letters, those who know to use lowercase letters, or some who may have trouble with backwards letters, etc. It is also a nice keepsake to display in the classroom!

First Day of School Coloring Activity

This is a nice way to show writing growth from the first day of school to the last. Students can color the coloring page, then write their first name on the lines below. On the last day of school, I have them color the same coloring sheet, then they glue them both to compare them! My students are always shocked at how they colored and wrote their name at the beginning of the year. You can grab this resource here.

Easy Activities to Practice Name Writing

Rainbow Name Tear Art Activity

This activity is great for working on fine motor skills, as well as lowercase letter formation. Even though they are not using a pencil and paper to write their name, this is still an effective (not to mention, fun!) way to practice their first name. I originally got this idea here from Time 4 Kindergarten.

First, you will write each of your student's name on a white piece of paper in bubble letters.

Next, you will give your students strips of colored paper. I show them how to tear a piece of red paper off, then use glue to glue it inside the first letter. Continue doing the same for each letter, until they have filled in their name! I love to display these on a bulletin board during the first month of school!

Highlighter Trick

This is such a helpful trick to use with your students who struggle with writing their name or using the lines. Grab a piece of writing paper and write their name at the beginning of each line using a yellow highlighter. They will trace over their name, then practice writing it using the lines next to it. If I have a student who is really struggling with writing their name, I have them do this as extra practice.

Name Writing Practice Page (FREE!)

These name-writing practice pages are the perfect early finisher task during the first few weeks of school. Each student gets their own page with their first name, and I laminate each one. They use a dry erase marker to practice writing their name. You can also use these as a paper and pencil worksheet activity. Grab it below for free!

NOTE: PLEASE SAVE AND OPEN IN ADOBE, IT WILL NOT WORK IN YOUR INTERNET BROWSER!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have some new ideas to practice name writing with your students! What is your favorite way to practice writing names?