Reading Freebie

Free CVC Word Sliders

Take a visual, kinesthetic, and auditory approach to orthographic mapping with these FREE multisensory CVC word activities!

⎯ Reading ⎯

Name Activities Using Chrysanthemum

Hi, friends!  It’s hard to believe that school is just around the corner! With the beginning of the school year comes practicing our name in many forms and using it to complete a number of Chrysanthemum name activities! Since our name is likely the first word we learn how to read and write, it is not surprising that research supports reinforcing letter and sound recognition through the context of our own name. Let’s think about that for a minute…  Kids learn best when they are able to relate and connect to the activity, experience, or material at hand. Therefore, it seems only natural to begin learning about letters and sounds using a variety of name activities.

Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Any purchases made through one of our links earns us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All creative ideas and opinions expressed are purely our own. Read our full privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Wrinkled Heart Activity

Each year, I like to kick off our name unit with the story Chrysanthemum.  The purpose of reading this story is twofold.  One, I like to draw on the length of Chrysanthemum’s name; and two, I like to use the events in the story to help convey the importance of using kind words, as well as to discuss the significance of being “absolutely perfect” in our own unique way.  As you may know, Chrysanthemum is a delightful young lady who is very eager to go to school for the first time…only to find herself feeling “absolutely dreadful” each time her classmates make fun of her name.

 

 
Before reading the story, I show the students a large paper heart.  I tell them that this is Chrysanthemum’s heart and she is so happy to go to school.  We build a little prior knowledge by discussing our feelings on the first day of school.  We talk about how some of us were excited, nervous, afraid, etc.  As I read the story, I crumple the heart each time one of Chrysanthemum’s classmates says something unkind.  Eventually, the heart looks nothing like a heart at all.  Each time I crumple the heart more, the students shriek out with concern for Chrysanthemum.  They begin to see that these unkind words are hurting Chrysanthemum’s feelings… her heart.
 
As the story continues to unfold and Mrs. Twinkle tells about her own long name, I begin to slowly uncrumple the heart.  By the end of the story, the heart is completely uncrumpled.  However, it is still wrinkled. These wrinkles show the scars that are left behind from all of the unkind words that were spoken to Chrysanthemum.  This simple activity really helps the students realize the lasting effects of the words we speak…  Even though we may forget what people have said to us, we will never forget how they made us feel!
 
Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!

Chrysanthemum Name Activities

On the second day of our name unit, we reread Chrysanthemum… this time to focus on her incredibly long name.  I write her name so that it takes up the entire board.  The students can hardly believe how long her name really is!  Of course someone always exclaims, “It scarcely fits on her name tag!”

 
Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!

 

To better compare our names to Chrysanthemum’s, we make a Chrysanthemum name activities graph using each individual letter in our name.  I create the chart ahead of time so that the columns are spaced two inches apart.  Then, as a class we add Chrysanthemum’s name to the top and count the letters in her name.  At this point, I pass out name strips to each student.  They choose their favorite color to trace each letter in their name.  I like to use Crayola Fine Line markers for tracing these.  Next, the students will cut apart their name strips into individual letters.  We glue these letters on to our chart, and discuss the lengths of each.  This graph provides a great visual reference for comparing our names.  Plus, we can easily count how many more or how many less letters than a particular name.

 
 
Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!

Name Trains

On the third day, we use linking cubes to create a “name train.”  These trains are also a great visual representation of the length of our name.  We can easily compare name trains to see whose name is longer or shorter.

 
Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!

 

I like to start by creating a name train for Chrysanthemum.  The students help me count out the number of cubes.  Then, I write Chrysanthemum’s name on the name train using a dry erase marker.  I write my name on a separate name train.   We compare the length of my name to Chrysanthemum’s much longer name.
 

Then, the students get to work making their own name trains and comparing them to a friend’s name.  These trains make it easy for the students to count how many more or how many less letters their name might have as compared to Chrysanthemum’s or a friend’s.

Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!
 

Name Comparison

On the fourth day, we begin taking a look at the actual letters in our name.  We start by comparing them to the letters in Chrysanthemum’s name.  Are there any letters the same?  If so, which ones?  I start by projecting a copy of the Venn diagram on the board.  Usually, I’ll fill in the diagram using the letters from my own name first.  Any letters that are the same go in the middle.  Any letters that are just in my name go in the “My Name” circle.  Any letters that are just in Chrysanthemum’s name go in her circle.

Chrysanthemum Name Craft

On the fifth day, we end our Chrysanthemum name activities with this cute, little name craft!  We discuss what makes us special, or unique… and then we get to work practicing our fine motor skills!

 
Practice alphabet recognition in context with editable name activities, including name crafts, name graphs, name poems, and name sorting mats! We love the Chrysanthemum activities!

More Name Activities

Grab any of these Chrysanthemum name activities below!

Discover a full list of name activities, including name puzzles, name crafts, name poems, name graphs and more! Students will practice fine motor skills, as well as tracing their name, with these name practice activities and name tracing mats. Plus, these name crafts make the perfect back to school bulletin boards. Students not only get to practice name writing and building their name, but they also practice math skills. Pair these name activities with any of your favorite name books for kids!

Discover a complete list of our favorite name activities, crafts, poems, games, graphs and more HERE!

Discover a full list of name activities, including name puzzles, name crafts, name poems, name graphs and more! Students will practice fine motor skills, as well as tracing their name, with these name practice activities and name tracing mats. Plus, these name crafts make the perfect back to school bulletin boards. Students not only get to practice name writing and building their name, but they also practice math skills. Pair these name activities with any of your favorite name books for kids!

These name books for back to school encourage students to celebrate their identities and appreciate their unique names!

Looking for name books for back to school that you can incorporate into your first week lesson plans? To celebrate our uniqueness, I am sharing 25 name books for kids that are great for getting to know you activities and building classroom community in your early elementary classroom. Use these name books, including Chrysanthemum and The Name Jar, with a variety of name activities for preschool and kindergarten. Add these kids books to your beginning of the year lesson plans!

Help students master writing their names with these editable name writing practice activities!

Looking for some fun and engaging name writing activities for preschool and kindergarten? These back to school name writing practice mats and name building activities are perfect for helping students learn how to write their name. Early elementary students get to practice tracing their name and building their name with magnetic letters. These editable name mats work well for centers, morning work or early finisher activities. Use these name practice mats with your favorite name books for kids!

Learn how to make these picture name puzzles that are self-correcting!

Name puzzles are a great way for preschool and kindergarten students to practice spelling, writing and recognizing their name! This name practice activity is perfect for back to school. Plus, creating these picture name puzzles is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Pair this name activity with your favorite picture name books. Rather than using name practice sheets, use these name puzzles to strengthen fine motor skills. This name activity for preschool is perfect for centers, morning work or early finishers!

Want to help your students easily learn the letters in their name while they strengthening fine motor skills? Read about our favorite fine motor name activities!

Looking for some fun name activities for your preschool or kindergarten classroom? These fine motor name activities are perfect for word work, fine motor tubs, literacy centers, early finishers or morning work. You can use these back to school activities with your favorite name books for kids. Download the editable name mats for name spelling practice. Students get to build letter recognition and sound recognition, as well as fine motor skills, with these fun name activities for kids!

More Back to School Activities

Don’t forget these free play dough gift tags for a fun back to school student gift idea!
 
Play Doh is a simple and non-edible back to school gift for students! It’s perfect for meet the teacher and open house night, as well as for calming those first day of school jitters. Grab these FREE play dough gift tags for an affordable back to school student gift idea!
Ashley Sharp Pos Bio Image

Ashley Sharp

As a dedicated Kindergarten teacher for nearly 20 years, I believe the words “fun, play, and creativity” can sit right alongside the words “developmentally appropriate, engaging, and rigorous.” Learning is meant to be fun and messy!

More Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

15 responses to “Name Activities Using Chrysanthemum”

  1. Kelli Avatar
    Kelli

    So many thoughtful activities! I'll be sharing this with my primary teacher friends as it all seems so good! And that adorable craft- too cute! Thanks for sharing!

    1. One Sharp Bunch by Ashley Sharp Avatar
      One Sharp Bunch by Ashley Sharp

      Thanks, Kelli! Crafts are our favorite! 😉

  2. Kristen Fuller Avatar
    Kristen Fuller

    I love, love, love this name pack! We have been singing The Name on the Bus and we're making our buses and Chrysanthemums this week!

    1. One Sharp Bunch by Ashley Sharp Avatar
      One Sharp Bunch by Ashley Sharp

      Yay! I am so glad to hear that! Thank you so much! I can't wait to see them!

  3. 30 Back to School Teacher Ideas for the Classroom – Proud to be Primary

    […] are looking for a meaningful literature-based activity that builds character and name recognition, this unit centered around the book Chrysanthemum will certainly […]

  4. Back to School Ideas for a Stellar First Week – Proud to be Primary

    […] are looking for a meaningful literature-based activity that builds character and name recognition, this unit centered around the book Chrysanthemum will certainly […]

  5. 35 Fun Name Activities Perfect For Preschoolers | HOAWG

    […] your child’s name, then compare how long it is to other names, with an idea from One Sharp Bunch based on the book Chrysanthemum by Kevin […]

  6. 30 Back to School Ideas for a Stellar First Week – Proud to be Primary

    […] are looking for a meaningful literature-based activity that builds character and name recognition, this unit centered around the book Chrysanthemum will certainly […]

  7. 25 Clever and Cute Name Crafts and Activities – NWS100

    […] Learn more: One Sharp Bunch […]

  8. 25 Clever and Cute Name Crafts and Activities | Hepcanta Education

    […] Learn more: One Sharp Bunch […]

  9. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    So cute! Where can I find the Name Train sheet to download?

  10. Mie Avatar
    Mie

    I really love reading your article very nice and very interesting.
    school name tags

  11. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    Hi…I downloaded or purchased your name activity packet. The name puzzle with the photo shown on the cover, I used last year and love, love, loved it. I can’t find the format in my PDF??? Was it included in that?? I feel like I’m losing my mind???? LOL. Please help…thanks!!

  12. Name Crafts and Activities for Kids – Kids Art & Craft

    […] Image Source/tutorial: One Sharp Bunch […]

  13. ≫ 20 actividades gráficas para niños que realmente elevan el nivel

    […] Aprendiendo más: Un grupo afilado […]