Student name tag dilemma?

Question

I am a kindergarten teacher. My students have a 5 digit pin number that they need to use to get their lunches. Until they memorize their numbers I usually make a necklace out of a laminated index card with their names and numbers on them. But this only lasts a few days then they are soiled and bent so I have to keep making them. Plus the yarn part of the necklace gets all tangled and it' just a mess. Any suggestions as to how I can make the "tags" to last longer?

Answer 1

My teacher put our lunch numbers on popsicle sticks.

Right before lunch she passed them out and afterwords we returned them.

Answer 2

My kids name tags were always made out of a heavy cloth that had their names & numbers written on with Sharpie. The cloth had a clip that they attached to their shirt.

Could also try using the clippy kind of clothespin. Write their name & number on it, then just clip right onto their shirt. Super easy to replace too, if they get broken or damaged.

Answer 3

My kindergarten made personalized aprons that we had to put on every morning in class, maybe you can do the same but instead of names just have their pin numbers sewn on

Answer 4

I would try to pass them out before lunch and then collect them after lunch. I would also maybe try making the tags as you usually do, but pinning it to their shirts instead of using it as a necklace. Sorry I can't think of anything else!