This Teacher Lets Her Students Name the Objects in the Room [Video]

In the thick of the school year, especially as that third-quarter slump sneaks up on us, keeping students engaged can feel like herding cats. We’re always on the lookout for fresh, fun ways to spruce up our classroom management and engagement strategies. That’s why Amanda Davies, a middle school teacher and librarian, has come to the rescue with a classroom hack she’s shared with the We Are Teachers team—and now, we’re excited to pass it along to you.

Amanda stumbled upon a creative idea to revitalize her classroom’s and library’s atmosphere following a recent renovation. Inspired to give her book carts a fresh look, she didn’t stop at a new coat of paint: She involved her students in a playful naming contest. This approach has since expanded to include essential classroom tools like dry-erase markers, scissors, and even loaner pencils!

Students are less likely to misplace items that they have personally named, …