In Connie Merritt’s third grade class, school started off with homework - for mom and dad. Students brought a paper home which asked parents to share how their third grader got their name.
What happened next was a sweet circle that mingled feelings of well-being and identity with reading and listening skills. It also extended the ideas in the book the students had read the day before, called “Our Classroom Is a Family.”
“It’s time for morning meeting,” said Ms. Merritt. Although it was early in September, students already knew what to do. They formed a circle on the classroom carpet and waited, expectantly.
Ms. Merritt asked Callen, her helper for the day, to go around the circle and stand behind each student, while the class sang and clapped to the words “We are so glad you are here,” using each person’s name. Students beamed when it was their turn to be welcomed!
One by one, the students went around the circle and read portions of what their parents had written about their name.
“Callen means powerful in battle,” said one student.
“Amrit means sweet nectar,” said a classmate.
“I have a tree name for my middle name,” said Lucas. “My middle name is Ash.”
“I share my middle name, Genaro, with my grandfather,” said Mason.
“All of the names in my family begin with A,” said Arik. “Mine means Lion of God.”
“Lukas means light.”
Good feelings abounded as students realized the love and care that their parents poured into their name selection.
“Our class is a family,” said Ms. Merritt.