This explains what my son's math teacher makes the class do! Before they start the test or assignment, they need to go through each problem and cross out names and pronouns. They then insert their own names and appropriate pronouns. I thought it was a waste of time, but I didn't realize that the unusual names could be distractions for kids! Interesting.
Although I favor using short, commonplace names in textbooks to maximize the number of students who have heard the names or seen them in print, if the textbook does not follow this practice, I think crossing out names is a waste of time.
