Vocabulary Bingo

by Arlene
(NYC, USA)

This is a great way to practice or review vocabulary words your students are learning.

1. First, generate a list of at least 25-30 words in the unit you are studying or words containing a particular phonic element. Write these words on the chalk board or smart board.

2. Then create a bingo board: have students fold an 8'x 11" piece of paper into 16 boxes: fold into half hot-dog style, into half again-hamburger style, followed by two more folds until there are 16 boxes-four on each line. For younger children, you might want to halve the list and only have the students fold their papers into 8 boxes.

3. Next, have children carefully open up their bingo boards and randomly place 16 words onto each of their bingo grids taking care to only write one word per box, not to repeat a word and above all, making sure their papers are different from their neighbors'.

4. After that, explain the rules: the first student to get four matches in a row either across, down or horizontally will be the winner. Have students place an X in the box or use paper markers if so desired.

Call words giving a clue for each word.