Shape Bingo

Shape Bingo is a simple maths game that aims to encourage recognition and classification of familiar 2D and 3D shapes.

By reinforcing the link between geometric vocabulary spoken out-loud and the imagery on their Bingo Sheets, students strengthen their understanding of the features of familiar shapes.

The Activity

Students split into groups of up to eight, each taking a Bingo Sheet. One student is the 'Caller', and they draw Bingo Cards one at a time, calling out the shape name (“Square”). The other students cross that shape off their sheet, or cover it with a token. The first student to cross all the shapes off their sheet and shout “Bingo” is the winner. The game is then repeated with the next Caller.

Variation (Groups)

The game can be played in teams, with students working at lower levels paired up with those working at higher levels. Instead of stating the name of the shape, the teacher hints at unique features of the shape (“this shape has four equal-length sides”) and allows the teams time to work together to come up with the answer.

Number of players:
Up to 8

Materials:

Set of Bingo Cards
Set of Bingo Sheets
Pencils/pens/tokens

Download Bingo Cards

Download Bingo Sheets

The Cards

The Bingo Cards have an image of the shape, the name of the shape, and also a short description of the features of the shape. This means the group can differentiate the game for themselves, independent of the rest of the class. Both the cards and sheets are presented in black-and-white, so as to not distract students or provide cues with colour.

Enabling Prompts

The Caller can briefly show the players the image on the Calling Card
The Caller can slow down the rate at which they are calling shapes to allow the players to keep up

Extending Prompts

Instead of saying the name of the shape, the Caller can describe the features ("this shape has four sides of equal length"), and the players have to match it to the shapes on their Sheet.

Relevance to 21st Century Learning

Critical Thinking

The activity requires students to recognise and classify shapes in their head as the teacher presents the bingo card, and then repeat this recognition/classification as they mark that shape on their sheet, strengthening the connection between shape name and features.

Communication

Through discussion students gain understand and be confidence in using geometric vocabulary

Collaboration

If the game is played in teams, students must work together and discuss their answers, requiring an understanding of which geometric features are present in some shapes and not others.

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