Bingo is not only enjoyable for students to play, it can also be used to reinforce specific lessons. Practice vocabulary words by distributing blank bingo cards to students and instructing them to fill in the boxes with a list of vocabulary words. To play, read the words' definitions and have the students mark the corresponding words on their boards. For a math version of the game, create bingo boards with the answers to arithmetic problems. Play bingo by reciting arithmetic problems or writing them on the board for students to solve individually and mark the appropriate box. The first student to mark a line (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) calls "Bingo!" aloud. Verify answers and award the student a prize.
Playing a "Jeopardy!"-style game in class helps students review material in preparation for an exam or test. Create clues that reinforce material for a unit of study. Devise clues on the parts of speech for language arts or state capitals and trivia for social studies. For a math game, create clues based on fractions and decimals. As an example, read the clue "The remainder of 9/4." The answer is "What is 1?" Arrange a "Jeopardy!" board by organizing clues by topic according to difficulty. Divide the class into two teams and have students within teams take turns choosing clues and answering to earn points. Award the winning team a prize the students can enjoy as a group.
Around the World engages all students in the classroom. To play, divide the class into two groups or teams. Two students (one from each team) must go to the front of the classroom to the chalkboard. Read a question or problem aloud. Students must race each other to solve the problem or write the correct answer on the board. The student who first answers correctly earns a point for her team and remains at the front while the other team sends the next student to the board to compete in the next question. The first team to earn a certain number of points wins the game and a group prize. If a student "goes around the world" by defeating all the players of the opposing team, he wins a special prize.
"Password" is an entertaining classroom game for practicing vocabulary words. Divide the class into two teams. Students must approach the front of the room one at a time and face away from the chalkboard. Write a vocabulary word on the board behind the students (out of their view) and start a clock or timer. Each student's teammates must shout clues or definitions to help that student identify the vocabulary word. If she correctly identifies the word with time to spare, write a second vocabulary word on the board. Limit the time to one or two minutes for each student.