Introduction

Teaching positive classroom behaviors is an essential part of creating a productive learning environment for elementary students. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, educators can help students develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. In this blog post, we’ll introduce a fun and engaging activity called “How We Act in School Bingo” that helps students learn about appropriate classroom behaviors and discuss their importance.

No-Prep Activity: How We Act in School Bingo

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator, making it perfect for a quick and interactive lesson on classroom behavior. Here’s how to play:

1. Create a bingo board with various classroom behaviors listed in each square. Some examples include “Raise Your Hand,” “Wait Your Turn,” “Listen Carefully,” and “Help a Classmate.”
2. Have students mark their boards as you discuss different scenarios that demonstrate the behaviors. For example, you could say, “Liz knew the answer to the teacher’s question, so she raised her hand and waited to be called on.”
3. Encourage students to think about how each behavior contributes to a positive learning environment and discuss the importance of practicing these behaviors in class.
4. The first student to get four behaviors in a row – up, down, across, or diagonal – can shout “Bingo!” and be declared the winner.

This engaging activity not only helps students learn about appropriate classroom behaviors but also fosters a sense of community and teamwork in the classroom.

Discussion Questions

After playing “How We Act in School Bingo,” use these discussion questions to stimulate further conversation about positive classroom behaviors:

• Why is it important to raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking in class?
• How does listening carefully to the teacher and classmates contribute to a positive learning environment?
• What are some ways you can show respect and support to your classmates?
• How does practicing self-control in the classroom help everyone learn better?
• Can you think of any other positive classroom behaviors that were not included in the bingo game?

Related Skills

In addition to the classroom behaviors explored in “How We Act in School Bingo,” there are many other relevant skills for students to develop. These include:

• Active listening and communication
• Empathy and understanding
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Goal-setting and self-motivation

By fostering these skills in the classroom, educators can help students become well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in both their academic and personal lives.

Next Steps

Interested in trying out “How We Act in School Bingo” and other engaging activities to teach social-emotional learning to your students? Sign up for free samples of these materials and more at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these fun and interactive lessons into your curriculum, you can help your students develop the essential skills they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.