Name Tent: Name and Dream Job

Why Use Name Tents?

The Name Tent activity is a great way to extend the momentum while helping students express themselves. Name tents are small, folded cards that display each student’s name and dream job. They serve as a daily visual reminder of identity, aspiration, and classroom goals.

This activity not only reinforces name recognition but also encourages students to think about their future ambitions while practicing proper English writing and spelling.

Objective

The main objectives of the Name Tent activity are:

  • Reinforce name recognition for both teachers and students.
  • Encourage self-expression and goal-setting by sharing dream jobs.
  • Practice proper English titles: Mr. for male students, Miss for female students.
  • Support writing skills and spelling accuracy.
  • Create a lasting visual tool for classroom engagement.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Write Your Name and Dream Job: 
  1. Each student creates a folded tent card with their first name and dream job visible from both sides. Format:

    • Mr. (for male) or Miss (for female) + Name: The dream job
    • Example:
      • Miss Leila: Doctor
      • Mr. Ahmed: Pilot
  1. Teacher Participation: Teachers should make their own name tents as role models: Example: Ms Jane: The Teacher
  1. Assistance for Students
    • Teachers help struggling students write their dream job.
    • Encourage checking the spelling of dream jobs and correcting mistakes.
  2. Portfolio Integration
    • Students can add a photo of their name tent to their online portfolios.
    • This promotes reflection on their identity and personal goals.
  3. Setting Goals
    • Before finalizing the name tent, ask students to decide on one personal goal to include alongside their dream job.
    • Example: Miss Leila: Doctor – Goal: Learn English fluently

Sample Name Tents

  • Miss Leila: Doctor – Goal: Learn English fluently
  • Mr. Adam: Pilot – Goal: Travel the world
  • Miss Sara: Engineer – Goal: Build sustainable energy solutions
  • Ms Jane: The Teacher – Goal: Help students achieve their dreams

Tips for Teachers

  1. Model first: Show your own name tent to guide students in formatting and content.
  2. Check spelling: Circulate and assist students as they create their tents.
  3. Display daily: Place tents on desks or a table where everyone can see them.
  4. Encourage reflection: Periodically ask students to revisit and update their goals or dream jobs.
  5. Digital portfolio integration: Encourage students to take a picture of their name tent for online reflection and sharing.

Educational Value

  • Builds confidence: Students feel proud to display their name and aspiration.
  • Enhances classroom community: Everyone can quickly recognize each other’s names and interests.
  • Supports goal-setting skills: Students begin to think concretely about their ambitions.
  • Improves writing skills: Correct spelling and proper use of titles (Mr., Miss, Ms.) are reinforced.
  • Encourages digital reflection: Adding the name tent to online portfolios helps track progress over time.


Conclusion

The Name Tent: Name and Dream Job activity is a simple yet powerful way to combine identity, aspiration, and classroom community. It builds on the excitement of Name Chain while giving students a personal, visual representation of who they are and what they hope to achieve.

By including name tents in both classroom display and online portfolios, students are reminded daily of their ambitions and the supportive classroom environment around them.

✨ Name Tents turn names into stories and dreams into goals.