Creative Name Writing Activities for 1st Grade

What’s in a name? A bunch of letters, sure, but also a unique opportunity for your 1st grade students to practice their handwriting and spelling skills. Often, one of the very first—and most important—lessons we teach kids to spell is their own names. And, like any lesson, there’s potential in it not just to learn, but to unleash your students’ creative potential at the same time. These unique name writing activities for 1st graders will help turn writing practice into something a little more special—and a lot more fun.

Activity #1: Letter by Letter

Letters are the building blocks of language. This name writing activity helps your 1st graders gain familiarity not just with the letters in their own names, but other words those letters can be used to make, too.

1. Start by having your students write their full names across the top of a blank page. You may want to check their work, or ask them to check each other’s work, to ensure their names are spelled and written correctly.
2. Then, have them write just their first name, spelling it out vertically in capital letters along the left-hand side of the paper.
3. Finally, ask them to think of words that start with each of the letters in their names. Ask them to write one word for each letter, choosing different words for any repeating letters, to create a simplified sort of acrostic poem.
4. Ask your students to share the words they came up with. The more creative and original, the better!

PROJECT IDEA

This name writing activity can also be turned into a colorful and fun classbook project! Once your students have filled out an initial draft of their names and acrostic, ask them to check each other’s work. Then, ask them to draw a picture that includes all of the words in their lists—and themselves—and publish their art and writing for the world (and especially their parents!) to see.

Activity #2: Friends in a Name

For young writers, sometimes mastering the shape of letters can be as challenging as remembering what order they’re supposed to go in. This cute name writing activity lets your 1st graders have a little fun with the letters in their names by transforming them into a group of very unique imaginary friends.

1. First, practice. Ask them to write their names a few times and review their work to be sure they’ve got the spelling and basic shapes of the letters correct.
2. Next comes the fun part. Ask them to draw their names in big, block letters across the center of a blank page. For students with long names, you may want to allow nicknames (or provide extra sheets of paper!).
3. Then, ask them to use colored (washable) markers to turn each letter into an imaginary animal or friendly monster. For repeat letters, they get to decide whether those letters are twins or completely different creatures.
4. Ask them to share their friends with the class! You’ll be amazed at what imaginative creations your students will come up with using nothing more than the letters of their names.

PROJECT IDEA

This name writing activity also makes for a fantastic classbook project! Once your students have finished drawing and coloring their “name-friends,” ask them to give each creature a name that starts with their letter. (For example, a friend that was originally the letter K might be named Kiernan or Kim.) Then, provide them with the following framed sentences and ask them to fill in the blanks: “These wild characters are my imaginary friends. Their names are [list names here]. When they all get together, they spell my name! My name is ___.” Finally, be sure to publish your student’s illustrations and written work in a classbook that highlights their unique imaginations and creativity. When your published books arrive, be sure to celebrate with your students and their new friends by hanging their original art up around the room!

Name-Writing Practice With a Twist

It’s true that practice makes perfect. However, simply asking your 1st graders to practice writing their own names over and over again is far less engaging than mixing practice with creative play. Incorporating amusing and mentally stimulating elements into your lesson plans will help your students see not just the shapes of the letters in their names, but how they connect and how they look and sound in other words. Plus, publishing their work can help build their confidence and encourage them to continue practicing and perfecting their writing skills.

Looking for more fun writing activities for your 1st graders? Check out our online teacher’s lounge, and sign up for your free publishing kit today!

Image sources: Lead image via Shutterstock; Images 1, 2 via OpenClipart.org