Change Your Classroom Culture From Day One: Give It A Name

“After all, we are the Legendary Thunder Hawks,” says Joan. “So you know our presentations for Black History Month are going to be legendary.”

And that’s when I smile from ear to ear.

For the last 15 years, my class has selected their own name. The Noble Lions survived Covid-they were fearless and encouraging at a time when we all needed it. The Mega Surf Sharks were energetic and focused. The Legendary Thunder Hawks had, as Joan said, very high standards for themselves.

These names may at first appear to be something fun or trivial. But I assure you they are anything but.  Classroom names form cohesion among students and teachers alike. A classroom name announces a classroom’s expectations of itself in bold, transparent print. A classroom name provides the same thing a family name does-it lets everyone in the group know they are part of a team. Importantly, classroom names are also associated with higher achievement.

How you select your classroom name is critical

How you select your class name is critical. For best results, I recommend providing students with three lists of words. The first is a list of descriptors like “epic,” “legendary,” or “noble.” The other two are lists of mascots that can be combined to form something kids will find suitable. For example, I’ve had Epic Bull Dogs, Silver Space Cheetahs, Shadow Cookie Ninjas, and Golden Dragon Warriors in years past. Each descriptor led to a theme that became legendary throughout the year.

My method begins at the end of the first or second week of school once we’ve all become comfortable. I share the three lists with students and add words to them that kids want. Then, I send it home, let kids and parents discuss it, and seek nominations for a classroom name incorporating words from the list. Kids know that we can not choose a name unless a vote is unanimous. Often, the vote comes down to two names, and a great debate ensues. Eventually, a compromise is struck, names are combined or changed slightly, and something feels absolutely right. Thus Golden Dragons and Epic Warriors became Golden Dragon Warriors.

What’s in a name?

Instantly, it no longer matters whether one kid passes a test; we all must help each other become legendary, golden, or mega. It no longer matters if one kid scores a goal in a soccer tournament; we all celebrate it as a common victory.

The classroom mission statement creates and seals goals

Now that we know who we are, our next step is to strike down a mission statement while the iron of our identity is hot. Names are nice, but what will we do with it?

My method is to frame in a statement, and most years, I use a version of the following:

The (1)___ use their (2) ____ and their (3) ____  to (4) ___  so that (5) ____.

Students will undoubtedly consider each section carefully. You’ll want to guide them with questions. For example, The (1) Noble Lions of Room 801 use their (2,3) What everybody? Our answers became “our noble nature” and “resources, teamwork and smart brains,” which we had to explore a bit then. In 4 and 5, it’s critical to identify a goal (4) and then to transfer that goal (5) to something that carries into future years. For us, that is usually something like, “Become advanced in all of our subjects so that we can achieve our lifelong dreams of being extraordinary and happy adults.”  This may seem a little far-fetched for elementary kids, but I assure you it isn’t. Kids at any age want to be astronauts, doctors, veterinarians, and the like. Why not help them to practice becoming that right now in class through your collective mission statement?

Note carefully that the mission statement always contains an element of “we”. That is critical. A mission statement that does not contain that element of “we all get there together” is truly not a mission statement, nor is it worthy of your classroom name and newfound culture!

“Honorary” members extend your classroom culture beyond your walls

You will undoubtedly discover some truly incredible things that happen due to your classroom name. Each year, I am abundantly surprised by the gifts that keep giving. Some years, kids develop a chant; others, they create posters or design shirts. Tangibles are nice, but I love how the name brings them all together from the simplest to the largest of tasks. 

But what do you do when someone new comes to visit? That is the time to remind kids of why your name is so important. When you have a guest presenter or a visiting teacher, ask students to share with this person all that your name tells about the class. Then, when that person respects the class and exhibits those traits, students can make a motion as follows:

I, Tom Courtney of the Legendary Thunder Hawks, make a motion that Onora from the San Diego Zoo become an honorary Legendary Thunder Hawk. She has shown compassion and teamwork.

I can promise you that others will second, and I can promise you that your guest will be overjoyed. But best of all to you is that your class now has set its own standards of what a person needs to be amongst the team you’ve created.

Suggestions for using your name to enhance classroom culture and inclusivity

Just like clothes and the man, a name does not make a class. A class makes its name. It won't be as spectacular without opportunities to exhibit your name.

Have students write the name in place of their room number, it will drive other staff crazy, I promise, and guess what? They’ll know who you are! Give students posterboard and create a design competition, then display the art on your door, window, and on t-shirts. Send an email to your principal asking her to use your team name in all announcements and use them in all of your correspondence with parents. When you plan field trips, type your name into the section where it asks for your room number. 

My favorite part of the year is the day I announce our new class name to the school. After a few years, not only will your class be excited to have a new name, but kids in lower grades will be excited to become a part of a future class that is far more than a number.

And that’s when you, too, become legendary.