Reading Bingo

Sometimes having a little competition will motivate students to read. Reading Bingo is one way of generating some friendly competition among students to encourage independent reading.

The idea is for students to read something in the genres or topics listed on their cards. Make copies of the cards and cut them apart. Laminate them if you want to. 

Each student gets one card, and the first student to read five in a row (or fill their card if you prefer) wins!

You can set whatever rules you want, based on the level of your students.

You may want to choose one or more of these options:

• Require a certain number of pages per genre/topic.
• Require the reading to be done in class at a specific time (“Silent Reading Fridays” or something like that for all or part of a class period).
• Require a book report or form to be filled out (sample included) to verify the reading.
• Offer some kind of a prize for the first to get bingo and/or offer a reward for anyone who completes their whole bingo card.
• Give students time in class to discuss their bingo reading with each other.

How you use this activity is really up to you and what you think will work best for your situation.