During the school year, I always try to encourage students to read daily in an enjoyable way. Right before a long holiday, I usually introduce something fun to keep the reading going! Book reports, reading response worksheets are NOT my style of teaching, but I have found that my students really enjoy doing “Reading Bingo”!
If you also find it difficult to motivate your child to read from a variety of books (or reading any books at all!), Reading Bingo may be something you want to try. There are many versions of Reading Bingo on the Internet, but I have yet to find one offered in different languages, and so I have created a Reading Bingo for younger kids in English, Traditional/Simplified Chinese:
*** Instead of filling up the whole BINGO sheet, you may also ask your child to complete one row, column or diagonal.
How to play Reading Bingo?
- Bring out a BINGO sheet.
- Go over each box with your child.
- Explain that to “win” your child must complete all the boxes.
- Have your child colour in the box as he/she reads the book that matches the descriptions
- When the entire grid has been filled they can call BINGO!
Why is Reading Bingo a good idea?
Some suggestions for rewards:
In a traditional BINGO game, you would receive something when you call “BINGO!” such as a cash prize. However, I don’t think it is particularly necessary to reward your child something. You may also explain that each book that they have read is a prize itself since they have learned something valuable from it!
However, if you want to add prize element, here are some suggestions:
- Your child gets to buy a new book
- Your child gets to create the next round of BINGO using the blank template
- Your child gets to have a reading picnic outside
- Your child gets to read in a special place
Would love to hear whether this Reading Bingo has helped you read different books with your child!
Ms Claudia Lee Kimura 
2 thoughts on “B-I-N-G-O for Reading!”