Lesson Plan
Behavior Bingo Blueprint
Students will earn bingo squares by demonstrating target behaviors like active listening and teamwork, practicing self-regulation and social skills in a fun, game-based Tier 2 small-group session.
This lesson motivates 3rd graders to internalize positive behaviors through immediate reinforcement and clear expectations, boosting engagement and supporting social-emotional growth.
Audience
3rd Grade Small Group
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Game-based behavior reinforcement
Prep
Prepare Materials & Space
5 minutes
- Print or assemble one Behavior Bingo Cards Game per student and a teacher demo card
- Review the Bingo Behavior Criteria Rubric to ensure you can identify each target behavior
- Queue the How to Play Behavior Bingo Slide Deck on your display device
- Arrange seating in a semi-circle so all students can see each other and the board
Step 1
Introduction
2 minutes
- Welcome students: “Today we’re playing Behavior Bingo to earn squares for positive actions!”
- Show the lesson objective and review the rubric criteria in Bingo Behavior Criteria Rubric
- Emphasize that everyone can earn squares by demonstrating these behaviors
Step 2
Review Target Behaviors
5 minutes
- Display Bingo Behavior Criteria Rubric and read each behavior aloud
- Ask students to share examples of when they’ve shown each behavior
- Clarify expectations and answer questions about earning squares
Step 3
Demonstrate Gameplay
3 minutes
- Launch the How to Play Behavior Bingo Slide Deck
- Model marking a square on the demo card when a behavior occurs (e.g., teamwork)
- Explain winning patterns (row, column, diagonal) and bonus rewards for a full card
Step 4
Active Gameplay
8 minutes
- Distribute one Behavior Bingo Cards Game per student
- Observe and verbally award bingo squares as students demonstrate target behaviors
- Encourage marking cards and peer encouragement
- If time allows, recognize the first student to call “Bingo!” and verify their card against the rubric
Step 5
Reflection & Next Steps
2 minutes
- Ask:
- “Which behavior was easiest to earn?”
- “How did it feel to mark your card or see a friend win?”
- Connect this game to ongoing behavior goals and preview next session’s targets
Slide Deck
How to Play Behavior Bingo
• Earn squares by demonstrating targeted positive behaviors
• Mark your card each time you earn a square
• First to complete a winning pattern calls “Bingo!” and wins a reward
Welcome students with excitement. Explain that they’ll learn how the game works and how to earn squares.
Lesson Objectives
• Understand the five target behaviors
• Learn when and how to earn a bingo square
• Identify winning patterns and rewards
Briefly walk through each objective so students know what to focus on.
Target Behaviors
- Teamwork: Helping classmates succeed
- Active Listening: Eyes on speaker, quiet body
- Respectful Communication: Kind words and tone
- Following Directions: Completing tasks when asked
- Helping Others: Offering assistance without being prompted
Read each behavior aloud and ask for a quick example from the group.
How to Earn Squares
• Mark a square each time you demonstrate a target behavior
• Examples:
– Sharing materials = Teamwork
– Listening without interrupting = Active Listening
– Saying “please/thank you” = Respectful Communication
– Starting on tasks right away = Following Directions
– Assisting a friend = Helping Others
Model marking a square on your demo card as you describe each example.
Demo: Marking Your Card
Watch as I help a classmate. I would mark the “Helping Others” square on my card like this:
Hold up your demo card and actually mark the square so students see the process.
Winning Patterns & Rewards
• Straight Line: Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal of 5 squares
• Four Corners: All four corner squares filled
• Full Card: Every square marked for a bonus reward!
Rewards: Stickers, extra movement break, special privileges
Point to each pattern on a sample card and explain the rewards for each.
You're Ready to Play!
- Take a Behavior Bingo card and marker
- Watch for target behaviors
- Mark your card when you earn a square
- Call “Bingo!” when you complete a pattern
- Have fun and encourage your classmates!
Build excitement and let students know you’ll start observing behaviors immediately.
Have Fun & Support Each Other!
Let’s make this game a positive experience for everyone. Cheer on your friends and celebrate each success!
Encourage peer support and remind students that the goal is to practice positive behaviors.
Game
Behavior Bingo Cards
These Behavior Bingo cards include 6 unique 5×5 grids. Each square lists one of our target behaviors or a FREE SPACE in the center. Print and distribute one card per student. Students mark off behaviors as they demonstrate them.
Legend of Behaviors
- Teamwork
- Active Listening
- Respectful Communication
- Following Directions
- Helping Others
- FREE SPACE (center)
Cards
Card A (bb-card-a)
| Teamwork | Active Listening | Respectful Communication | Following Directions | Helping Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helping Others | Teamwork | Following Directions | Active Listening | Respectful Communication |
| Respectful Communication | Helping Others | FREE SPACE | Teamwork | Active Listening |
| Following Directions | Respectful Communication | Active Listening | Helping Others | Teamwork |
| Active Listening | Following Directions | Teamwork | Respectful Communication | Helping Others |
Card B (bb-card-b)
| Active Listening | Respectful Communication | Helping Others | Teamwork | Following Directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Following Directions | Active Listening | Teamwork | Respectful Communication | Helping Others |
| Helping Others | Following Directions | FREE SPACE | Active Listening | Teamwork |
| Respectful Communication | Teamwork | Following Directions | Helping Others | Active Listening |
| Teamwork | Helping Others | Active Listening | Following Directions | Respectful Communication |
Card C (bb-card-c)
| Respectful Communication | Teamwork | Active Listening | Helping Others | Following Directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Respectful Communication | Helping Others | Following Directions | Teamwork |
| Helping Others | Active Listening | FREE SPACE | Respectful Communication | Teamwork |
| Following Directions | Helping Others | Teamwork | Active Listening | Respectful Communication |
| Teamwork | Following Directions | Respectful Communication | Helping Others | Active Listening |
Card D (bb-card-d)
| Following Directions | Helping Others | Teamwork | Active Listening | Respectful Communication | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respectful Communication | Following Directions | Active Listening | Teamwork | Helping Others | |
| Teamwork | Respectful Communication | FREE SPACE | Following Directions | Active Listening | |
| Active Listening | Teamwork | Helping Others | Respectful Communication | Following Directions | |
| Helping Others | Active Listening | Following Directions | Teamwork | Respectful Communication |
Card E (bb-card-e)
| Helping Others | Following Directions | Respectful Communication | Teamwork | Active Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teamwork | Helping Others | Active Listening | Following Directions | Respectful Communication |
| Active Listening | Teamwork | FREE SPACE | Helping Others | Following Directions |
| Respectful Communication | Active Listening | Following Directions | Teamwork | Helping Others |
| Following Directions | Respectful Communication | Teamwork | Active Listening | Helping Others |
Card F (bb-card-f)
| Teamwork | Helping Others | Following Directions | Respectful Communication | Active Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Teamwork | Respectful Communication | Helping Others | Following Directions |
| Respectful Communication | Active Listening | FREE SPACE | Teamwork | Helping Others |
| Following Directions | Respectful Communication | Helping Others | Active Listening | Teamwork |
| Helping Others | Following Directions | Active Listening | Respectful Communication | Teamwork |
Rubric
Bingo Behavior Criteria
Use this rubric to determine when to award a Bingo square. A student must demonstrate the behavior at the Meets Expectation (2) level or higher to earn a square during gameplay.
| Target Behavior | 0 – Not Observed | 1 – Approaching | 2 – Meets Expectation | 3 – Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teamwork | Works alone; does not engage with peers. | Shares materials or ideas when prompted. | Voluntarily offers help, shares resources, and participates cooperatively in group tasks. | Leads team efforts, encourages peers, and effectively coordinates group work to achieve goals. |
| Active Listening | Distracted, no eye contact, interrupts speaker. | Occasionally listens; needs reminders to stay focused. | Maintains eye contact, refrains from interrupting, and follows spoken directions. | Shows attentive body language, asks clarifying questions, and summarizes others’ contributions. |
| Respectful Communication | Uses rude or inappropriate language or tone. | Attempts polite language but requires prompts. | Consistently uses kind words, appropriate tone, and listens respectfully to others. | Goes beyond courtesy—offers positive feedback, validates peers’ ideas, and models respectful dialogue. |
| Following Directions | Ignores instructions or requires many reminders. | Follows instructions partially or after prompting. | Accurately and promptly follows directions the first time they’re given. | Anticipates next steps independently and follows additional guidelines without further prompts. |
| Helping Others | Does not offer help to classmates. | Helps peers only when directly asked. | Proactively offers assistance to classmates and works alongside them. | Seeks out opportunities to support others and guides peers through tasks or challenges. |
Material reference: How to Play Behavior Bingo Slide Deck, Behavior Bingo Cards Game.