Right to a name

Year level: Lower primary Learning outcome Students will deepen appreciation of the importance of the right to a name. Play a name game to help students focus on the importance of being recognised by name. For example, to play Who am I?, blindfold someone and ask them to identify the person who says 'hello' to them. Draw a picture of yourself and make notes on: Your name - Why are you called this name? What does it mean? Your place - Where were you born? Your family - Which position in the family are you? Describe what it feels like if you aren't recognised or your name is mispronounced. Describe what it feels like to be called by more than one name. Describe what it feels like to be ignored by someone who doesn't know your name. Adopt a new name for a day (eg the number of your position in your family; your family name; a favourite name). Make yourself a name tag so others will know what to call you. What does it feel like to be called this name? Collect some items and documents that have your name on them (eg school books, birth certificate, passport). Why is your name important on these items? Why is important for people to know who you are? Role-play what might happen if your name was left off a list to attend school and you could not add it. Assessment task Write a sentence to explain why your name is important (eg sense of self and belonging to groups; access to services).