Math Teaching Tools


The following is a description of Math Bingo and how to use it for review.


pdf printable version


Math Bingo is a fun way to help student review math concepts. It can be used to help students review for a test or for a fun filler activity for days when no new lessons are planned. It does take some up front planning by the teacher, parent or tutor, but this can also be done on the fly by using problems from the math textbook being used for the class. It is only important to note which problems are being used for the game.

Step 1: First make sure every student has a blank Bingo card. A Bingo card can be made by drawing a five by five grid on a piece of paper. Mark the center square with the words Free Space. Write the letters B I N G O at the top of each column of boxes. The game is won when a student marks a row, column or diagonal.

Step 2: Then write the answers to twenty-four problems on a piece of paper or on the board, depending on the setting. Each student then randomly fills in the twenty-four answers on their own Bingo card. The idea is that each Bingo card will be different, so not everyone will win at the same time.

Step 3: Once all of the cards have the twenty-four answers on them, begin the game. Write a random problem on the board or a piece of paper which has one of the twenty-four answers. Students then figure out what the answer is and place a marker or an X on the square with the correct answer. It is important to note that the answer should still be visible so that game winning can be verified.

Step 4: The game continues until someone calls out Bingo. Once the call has been made, the student calls out the answers that were used to get the Bingo. The teacher, parent or tutor verifies if these five answers were actually answers to the problems given to that point in the game. If they are, then the student wins, if they are not, then the game continues until a true Bingo is achieved. The game can start over with new problems, with the same problems or just continue until all twenty-four problems have been completed to help with the review exercise. This is up to the group or the leader of the group.

Enjoy playing Math Bingo!

Please note this game can be used with other subjects.

A reproducable game card can be purchased at the Online Store.

Home Page last updated 12/08/07