Bingo!

I've got quite a tricky third year class to manage as they're all mixed ability and doing INT2. The idea is to split them after a few weeks once we've worked out who can stick the more advanced course and who would best suit INT1.Thing is, it does leave quite afew floundering so I thought it would be an idea to do a revision lesson without just lecturing.

The evening before, I prepared a Prezi presentation (check it out - www.prezi.com) and some bingo sheets (bingo - data rep.doc.zip). The rules are simple:

• Each pupil gets a sheet and enters one of the key words listed into each square. No duplication!
• Teacher must see each sheet before the game commences. No changing words after it starts
• No shouting out! Anyone calling "BINGO!" or "HOUSE!" forfeits their prize.
• Any words appearing on the board as part of the presentation, or being spoken by the teacher count. Plurals are accepted (e.g. dinosaur and dinosaurs are the same)
• Questioning - with a raised hand - is accepted and encouraged. However, questions must be relevant to the topic and not just an obvious attempt to get the teacher to say a word!

And begin the presentation. With luck, this encourages the kids to listen and focus. If you say a word and they miss it... tough. In the last lesson I had one girl complaining that she should have won as I'd said "graphics" earlier and her friend just told her. Too late - I'd already picked a winner!

I've used this with second and third years now and it does seem to work. It does cost you a few chocolates (or pencils and rubbers if you have one of those healthy eating policy things) but if it helps the class to dredge their memories and pay attention, then it's worth it. I often get them to answer questions and repeat their answers so that they can tick a box. If used as part of an ongoing course, smarter pupils will maybe now what words to expect and improve their chances of winning by selecting better ones. All for the best!