Identifying a student by name helps with both classroom management and classroom community. In terms of classroom management, the student knows that you can hold them accountable. A simple, "Michael, can I ask you to hold off on talking till I am done?” indicates that, if necessary, you could email the student later to follow up if the classroom is being disturbed. In addition, thanking a student by name for any contribution of question, answer, or opinion makes the student feel like a known member of the community of learners.

Not sure how to pronounce a name? You can use your Smart Phone recording app and ask the student to say their name 5 times at varying speeds. Listening a few times out of class will help you.

The easiest way to learn student names is to use card stock name tents, by printing copies of the Conestoga name tent template on card stock. Leave these at the entry for students to pick up as each class starts and collect at the end by having them drop them off. This also helps track attendance, as you can remove the pile 10 minutes after class has started, and use it to make note of late students. If a card is not picked up all class, then you can quickly note the absence.

One of the easiest ways to track attendance is within eConestoga. You can set up the attendance tracker to send an automated message to any student missing two classes in a row. The message can express concern, remind students of the materials on eConestoga, and suggest they respond to you to let you know if they need any support. This will help the students to see that their attendance is noted and that their success is important.