It's time for bingo! Practice using both digital and analog clocks with this classic game. Here's your guide to selecting the version that's right for your students.
Learning how to tell time can be either frustrating or fun. Why not make it the latter and motivate your students with an exciting game of time bingo? This hands-on learning activity emphasizes listening comprehension and math skills, as well as edge-of-your-seat anticipation.
All time bingo games are fun, but they aren't all alike. Your students might be little ones learning how to read a clock for the first time, or high school students mastering the concept of the 24-hour clock in Spanish or French. Consider the options of both teacher-created and commercially-produced games for your classroom.
Teacher-Created Time Bingo Games
When you create your own activity, you can tailor it to fit your objectives perfectly. Are you teaching time to the hour or half hour? Do your students need practice with analog clocks or digital displays? As the teacher, you decide.
To create your own time bingo game, make a blank bingo card that students will fill out themselves. First, choose the number of squares in your grid: 2 x 4, 3 x 3, 4 x 4, or the classic 5 x 5 grid with a free space in the middle. You will also need to prepare calling cards and provide bingo chips.
Here are just a few of the possible variations you can create:
- Analog clocks (students draw in the hands)
- Digital clocks
- 24-hour digital clocks
- Sentences describing the time
Teacher-created games are a bit more work, but well worth the effort!
Commercially Produced Time Bingo Games
There are also several high-quality time bingo games that can be purchased and used year after year. Students like the eye-catching, colorful cards, and teachers like the convenience of pre-prepared materials. Here are a few time bingo sets that are available at your local toy store, teacher supply store, or on-line:
Trend Enterprises, Inc: 36 cards with multi-colored, analog clocks; grid size of 4 squares x 5 squares; times in 15 minute increments; also includes bingo chips, calling cards and mats. List price $9.95
Carson-Dellosa Publishing Co., Inc.: 36 cards with analog clocks; grid size of 5 squares x 5 squares with one free space and B-I-N-G-O column header; 36 cards with analog clocks; times in 5 minute increments; also includes chips, calling cards and mats. List price $9.99.
Frank Schaffer Publications: 36 cards with analog clocks; grid size of 5 squares x 5 squares; times in 5 minute increments; also includes chips and calling cards. List price $9.99.
Judy Instructo: 35 cards with bright yellow analog clocks; grid size of 5 squares x 5 squares; times in 5 minute increments; also includes chips and calling cards. List price $9.99.
The following two bingo games are for small groups (2-4 players):
Learning Resources®: 4 double-sided cards with analog clocks; grid size of 3 squares x 3 squares with one free space; times in half hour increments on side 1 and times in 15 minute increments on side 2; also includes chips and spinner. List price $7.95.
Learning Resources®: Deluxe version includes 4 double-sided cards with removable tiles of analog clocks; grid size of 3 squares x 3 squares with one free space; times in either half hour increments, or 5-minute/minute increments; also includes chips and spinner. List price $19.95.
Choose a bingo game and have fun telling time.
(All prices are current as of February 2008 and are subject to change.)
