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Creating alliterative Water Names for each participant is a fun way to embark on this unit of study!
Grade Level: K - 12 (capable students can complete activity independently; younger students can make a water name with adult help)
Time: 10 - 20 minutes
Learning Standards: ESS2.C, MP.6, R4, R9, W7, SL5
What are we learning?
What are we learning?
This is a great brainstorming activity to warm up with students when initiating a unit about water!
This activity builds vocabulary and reinforces common terminology to be explored in your water study.
The water name exercise is helpful for the visual learner, presenting vocabulary in a more interesting, creative way.
This simple activity allows for the student to express their individuality. For a visiting educator or a new group of students, it is a great way to learn names and connect.
It supports students to identify themselves and be referred to by name, without assuming pronouns.
Materials Needed
Materials Needed
Computers and template link
Index Cards
Water names list
Permanent markers
optional crayons or colored pencils
Here's what to do
Here's what to do
Make a copy of the Slides above and give each participant a copy in digital classroom. (Or... Send a copy to participants via email.)
Allow for participants to be creative and have them delete the directions as they go - they choose their names and their imagery.
Provide the list of names to help participants choose: Water Names
What to expect
What to expect
Creativity/brainstorming
New appreciation for water and the many facets for which water is on earth including animals
Participants to share finished designs and explain why they chose that name/images
Using Google Slides, students will come up with their own alliterative water name using the first sound or letter of their first name and a word that has a relationship to water.
Brianna Bubbles
Mariah Mermaid
Stephen Shark
The button below has many suggestions on how to help students choose a water name.
In person, hands-on version
In person, hands-on version
Here's a handy idea for in-person programs: it can both serves as a name tag for getting to know one another, as well as a creative introductory activity that builds related vocabulary (and can involve some simple research - discovering an appropriate name to choose and searching for imagery to represent the chosen water name).
See sections above for background information on the activity
Instead of creating the water name digitally, a physical paper index can be used (3x5 or 4x6 work)
Each card should have a hole punched in it so it can stand up on the desk like a name plate with a pencil as a stand (see images below)
Each student writes their first name and alliterative water name of choice on the card in dark marker (sharpie or similar), or for younger students, adults write the names and hand them out (this can be done 1-on-1 or as a group brainstorming activity where students help one another choose their fun names)
Students can decorate their cards with drawings or collage
Early Elementary Example
Teachers can create this presentation in Google Slides to display each student's chosen water name with a matching image for the class to see.
Hands-on, In-person Example
Note card displaying chosen water name; students can draw a picture of their water name to decorate and display on their desk.
Extensions
Extensions
This alliterative "Nature Names" concept can be recreated for different areas of focus: "Earth Names," "Nature Names," "Climate Names," "Weather Names ", etc. - whatever vocabulary you want to focus on and reinforce!
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