| When we think about scientific subjects, especially | | | | teacher acts as the caller, and off you go. However, |
| chemistry and physics, but also to some extent biology, | | | | you don't need to stick to the basic game - why not |
| we sometimes assume that learning is mostly about | | | | spice things up a bit? |
| understanding theories and formula. It is easy to forget | | | | - After calling out each item, the teacher could ask one |
| that no matter how rigorous the subject is, the rigor in | | | | of the students to describe that item. |
| large part depends on knowledge of certain underlying | | | | - Instead of calling out the items on the cards, why not |
| facts. This is true of almost all science, whether it's the | | | | give the students clues which they have to match up |
| parts of the cell, the bones of the human body, the | | | | to the items on their cards. For example, the teacher |
| elements of the periodic table, or even just the | | | | might call out "Group 16, colorless gas, atomic number |
| terminology used in scientific subjects. Of course, good | | | | 8" instead of "oxygen". |
| science teachers not only never forget that learning | | | | - Any student who claims a "Bingo!" might be required |
| facts is an important aspect of their subject, but also | | | | to describe each of the items that they have ticked |
| find ways to teach those facts that are exciting, | | | | off in their winning line. If the game is one that students |
| enjoyable and engaging for students. | | | | really do want to win, and the teacher explains this |
| The best teachers are always open to new ideas. | | | | requirement some days before the actual bingo game |
| Even supposedly "boring" rote learning activities can | | | | (perhaps by playing a practise game), it can be |
| come to life if presented in the right way: classroom | | | | surprising just how much students can learn. |
| activities in which students can actively participate, | | | | So if you're an educator and excited about the |
| including games, can be one of the best ways to learn. | | | | classroom possibilities of bingo, how do you go about |
| One such activity that ought to be considered is bingo. | | | | actually making it happen? In the past, that used to be |
| The beauty of bingo is that is that it's simple to play, | | | | the most difficult part, since you had to send off for |
| and can easily be adapted for teaching pretty much | | | | expensive specialist supplies. Today however it's much |
| any subject in almost any classroom situation. | | | | easier - you simply use you computer - you can |
| Normally when we play bingo, we play with cards | | | | download a variety of ready-to-use free printables for |
| containing numbers. However, in educational variations | | | | science bingo off the Internet, and there is also the |
| of the game, cards are used which contain the things | | | | option of purchasing affordable software for printing |
| to be learned (whether they be the names of | | | | customized bingo cards containing whatever items you |
| elements, bones in the body, famous scientists or | | | | want. |
| whatever). Each student is given their own card, the | | | | |