Method:

Hand out the papers, markers and bingo chips. I had the kidsspread out all over the floor.

Instruct the children to make a 9 square grid; two horizontallines and two bisecting vertical lines (you can show your samplebingo card or demonstrate on a child's blackboard).

I actually used the phrases "nine square grid", "horizontallines" and "bisecting vertical": it exposes the children tomathematical terms in a friendly environment and, because soundsvery impressive, there's a true sense of accomplishment when thekids complete the task.

Using your list of (let's say) animals, tell the children todraw - in any square they wish - the picture of EITHER anelephant OR a lion. Stress that the card they are creatingshould be unique to make the game more fun.

If you are working on a second language, or just happen to beliving in a foreign non-English-speaking country, repeat theanimal name in the applicable language.

Once the first box is completed and using the second pair ofobjects on your list, tell the kids to draw - in any square - apicture of EITHER a snake or a monkey.

This particular party having a jungle theme, it helped theyounger children for me to point out relevant wall decorations(very simple animal cut-outs I had made the night before).

When all cards are completed, explain that the aim of the gameis to shout BINGO! whenever a child gets three markers in a row- in any direction. Here the terms horizontal, vertical anddiagonal can be used and understood without explanation as youdraw lines on the board.

NOTE: when you start the game, remember to call out the words inboth languages. After a couple of rounds, you can make it moreinteresting by calling them out in the target language only -the kids will automatically translate out loud thereby helpingones not sure of the translation.

We played until the cards were full, so that everyone got toshout BINGO! several times - there were no prizes given out,just lots of "wow!"s and "again?!s" and "that's incredible!"sfrom an

appreciative bingo caller.

When the theme chosen has run its course, you can refresh thegame by drawing new cards on the back of the old ones, withwhatever objects fit your interests or fancy: pieces of fruit,holiday or fairy tale characters (ie., Santa, Easter Bunny,Pilgrim, tooth fairy, angel etc.), Sesame Street cast, buildingsor monuments (house, pyramid, igloo), etc.

Balloon Decoration

Once the balloons were inflated, dizziness and hyperventilationreceding to acceptable levels, we strung them together withthread and hung them, cascading from windows, as anout-of-the-way decoration. When they were needed, we freed theballoons and let the girls choose a favorite color.

The gang gathered round a large table covered by a cheapdisposable plastic tablecloth, and started working with avariety of decorating materials including:

all of the foregoing items neatly organized in old egg cartons.

This activity kept everyone busy for a solid 30 minutes, andsome of their creations were real works of art. To dry one sideat a time, tie a ribbon to the knot of the balloon and tape upon the wall or window.

Once in a while, there'd be a loud explosion and some screams.No one ever got very upset about the destruction of theirmasterpiece, but the added tension seemed to keep interest high.

Although it sounds like an awful mess, it's actually a quickand easy clean-up: just grab the brushes and markers and anyother salvageable items, then wrap up the rest in the tableclothand toss. Since the activity was held in a playroom with ahardwood floor, one quick sweep finished the job off.

Take Home Memories

When parents came collecting, the kids happily flaunted theirpersonalized bingo cards and balloon projects, which of coursethey took home as party favors, chocolate stained with ribbonstrailing.

About the Author:

Stephanie Olsen, published writer, homeschooling mother of twoand ESL teacher currently residing in Europe, is also owner ofthe expatriate site, Family Life Abroad - the expatplace where you'll find humorous and informative articles byexperienced expatriates on all aspects of living abroad, withlots of links and travel tips.

About the author:About the Author:

Stephanie Olsen, published writer, homeschooling mother of twoand ESL teacher currently residing in Europe, is also owner ofthe expatriate site, Family Life Abroad - the expatplace where you'll find humorous and informative articles byexperienced expatriates on all aspects of living abroad, withlots of links and travel tips.