Lesson Plan
Friendship Bingo Blast Lesson Plan
Students will play an inclusive bingo icebreaker to introduce themselves, practice asking questions, and discover shared interests with peers.
Building familiarity and social connections reduces anxiety, fosters a sense of belonging, and sets a positive classroom tone for students with significant disabilities.
Audience
7th Grade Students with Significant Disabilities
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive bingo icebreaker promotes communication and connections.
Materials
- Friendship Bingo Cards, - Pencils, - Bingo Markers, - Visual Timer, and - Clipboards
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Friendship Bingo Cards to familiarize yourself with statements and visuals.
- Print one card per student; prepare a few extras.
- Gather pencils, Bingo Markers, clipboards, and set up a visual timer.
- Arrange desks/chairs to allow students to move and mingle comfortably.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain today’s goal: to meet classmates and find shared interests.
- Show a sample Friendship Bingo Cards and point out text and picture supports.
- Review key vocabulary (e.g., “favorite,” “hobby,” “initial”).
Step 2
Explain Rules
5 minutes
- Describe how to approach peers, ask the statement as a yes/no question, and get their name/initial if it matches.
- Model asking a question (e.g., “Do you like pizza?”) and marking a square with a Bingo Markers.
- Explain winning: one completed row, column, or diagonal, but focus on interaction over competition.
Step 3
Gameplay
12 minutes
- Start the visual timer for 12 minutes and let students circulate with clipboards.
- Encourage asking one question at a time and marking matches on their Friendship Bingo Cards.
- Provide picture symbol prompts or read questions aloud for students who need support.
- Pair nonverbal or hesitant students with a peer buddy or paraprofessional.
- Circulate to prompt quieter students and reinforce positive interactions.
Step 4
Share Findings
5 minutes
- Gather students in a circle; invite volunteers to share one new thing they learned.
- Celebrate when a student completes a row; offer verbal praise or a sticker.
- Reinforce common interests and acknowledge every student’s effort.
Step 5
Closure
3 minutes
- Recap the activity’s purpose: building connections and feeling comfortable.
- Explain how knowing peers will support teamwork in future lessons.
- Collect Friendship Bingo Cards, pencils, and markers; thank students for participating.
Slide Deck
Friendship Bingo Blast
An Inclusive Icebreaker for 7th Grade
Welcome teachers: This is your title slide. Introduce the activity and its purpose. Greet students and signal the start of today’s icebreaker.
Objective
Students will play an inclusive bingo icebreaker to introduce themselves, practice asking questions, and discover shared interests with peers.
Read aloud the objective. Emphasize how the bingo game will help students get to know one another and practice social skills.
Materials Needed
- Friendship Bingo Cards
- Pencils
- Bingo Markers
- Visual Timer
- Clipboards
Display this slide while handing out materials. Make sure every student has a bingo card, pencil, marker, and clipboard.
Introduction
• Explain today’s goal: meet classmates and find shared interests
• Show sample Friendship Bingo Cards with text and picture supports
• Review key vocabulary: “favorite,” “hobby,” “initial”
Welcome students and explain today’s goal: to meet classmates and find shared interests. Hold up a sample bingo card and point out text and picture supports. Review key vocabulary: “favorite,” “hobby,” and “initial.”
How to Play
- Approach a classmate and ask the statement as a yes/no question
- If they say yes, write their initial in the square
- Mark matched squares with a Bingo Markers
- Aim for a row, column, or diagonal, but focus on chatting, not competition
Describe how students will approach peers and ask yes/no questions. Model asking “Do you like pizza?” and marking a square with a Bingo Markers. Emphasize that interaction is more important than winning.
Let's Play!
• Time: 12 minutes
• Circulate and mingle with clipboards
• Ask one question at a time and mark matches
• Use picture prompts or peer helpers as needed
Start the visual timer for 12 minutes. Encourage students to circulate with clipboards and ask one question at a time. Provide picture prompts or peer helpers for those who need support. Pair nonverbal or hesitant students with a buddy and circulate to prompt interactions.
Time Remaining
12:00
Use this slide to display the countdown. Start the timer now and come back when time is up.
Share Findings
• Sit in a circle and share one new thing you learned
• Celebrate completed rows with praise or stickers
• Highlight common interests and effort
Gather students in a circle. Invite a few volunteers to share one new thing they learned about a classmate. Celebrate completed rows with praise or a sticker.
Closure
• Recap: building connections and feeling comfortable
• Connect to future teamwork activities
• Collect cards, pencils, and markers
• Thank everyone for participating
Recap the purpose of the activity: building connections and comfort. Explain how these connections will support future teamwork. Collect cards, pencils, and markers, then thank everyone for participating.
Worksheet
Friendship Bingo Cards
Instructions: Find classmates who match each statement. Ask a yes/no question for each square. If a classmate answers "Yes," write their initial in the box. Aim to complete a row, column, or diagonal, but remember—getting to know each other is the goal!
Card A
| Likes pizza 🍕 | Plays video games 🎮 | Has a pet 🐶 | Favorite color is blue 🔵 | Plays a musical instrument 🎵 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has traveled to another country 🌍 | Loves to read books 📚 | FREE ☆ | Favorite sport is basketball 🏀 | Has a brother or sister 👦👧 |
| Likes ice cream 🍨 | Favorite subject is math ➗ | Can ride a bike 🚲 | Loves drawing or painting 🎨 | Watches cartoons 📺 |
| Likes spaghetti 🍝 | Can swim 🏊 | Favorite animal is cat 🐱 | Plays soccer ⚽ | Likes to dance 💃 |
| Favorite season is summer ☀️ | Has a smartphone 📱 | Likes hiking 🥾 | Favorite movie genre is comedy 😂 | Has a birthday in January 🎂 |
Card B
| Has a smartphone 📱 | Likes spaghetti 🍝 | Can ride a bike 🚲 | Plays video games 🎮 | Favorite season is summer ☀️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Favorite animal is cat 🐱 | Loves drawing or painting 🎨 | Likes to dance 💃 | Has traveled to another country 🌍 | FREE ☆ |
| Plays a musical instrument 🎵 | Favorite movie genre is comedy 😂 | Likes pizza 🍕 | Watches cartoons 📺 | Enjoys cooking 👩🍳 |
| Has a pet 🐶 | Favorite color is blue 🔵 | Loves to read books 📚 | Favorite sport is basketball 🏀 | Can swim 🏊 |
| Likes ice cream 🍨 | Likes hiking 🥾 | Plays soccer ⚽ | Has a brother or sister 👦👧 | Favorite subject is math ➗ |
Card C
| Plays soccer ⚽ | Likes pizza 🍕 | Can ride a bike 🚲 | Has a brother or sister 👦👧 | Loves drawing or painting 🎨 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Favorite movie genre is comedy 😂 | Watches cartoons 📺 | FREE ☆ | Favorite season is summer ☀️ | Likes ice cream 🍨 |
| Plays video games 🎮 | Has traveled to another country 🌍 | Favorite animal is cat 🐱 | Can swim 🏊 | Enjoys cooking 👩🍳 |
| Favorite color is blue 🔵 | Likes hiking 🥾 | Favorite subject is math ➗ | Has a smartphone 📱 | Likes to dance 💃 |
| Plays a musical instrument 🎵 | Loves to read books 📚 | Has a birthday in January 🎂 | Likes spaghetti 🍝 | Favorite sport is basketball 🏀 |
Card D
| Likes hiking 🥾 | Plays video games 🎮 | Favorite sport is basketball 🏀 | Likes ice cream 🍨 | Has a smartphone 📱 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plays a musical instrument 🎵 | Has a brother or sister 👦👧 | FREE ☆ | Loves drawing or painting 🎨 | Has a pet 🐶 |
| Favorite subject is math ➗ | Watches cartoons 📺 | Can ride a bike 🚲 | Favorite color is blue 🔵 | Enjoys cooking 👩🍳 |
| Likes pizza 🍕 | Favorite season is summer ☀️ | Can swim 🏊 | Favorite movie genre is comedy 😂 | Likes to dance 💃 |
| Has traveled to another country 🌍 | Plays soccer ⚽ | Likes spaghetti 🍝 | Loves to read books 📚 | Has a birthday in January 🎂 |
Game
Bingo Markers Accessibility & Engagement Options
Description
Offer a variety of tactile, visual, and auditory markers so every student can participate comfortably and confidently. Mix and match according to individual needs and preferences.
1. Tactile Tokens
- Foam Shapes (stars, hearts, circles) for easy gripping and a fun sensory experience.
- Textured Tiles (bumpy, smooth, ridged) for students with visual impairments to distinguish squares by touch.
2. Color-Coding & High-Contrast
- Large, High-Contrast Chips in bright colors (neon orange, hot pink) for students with low vision.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Stickers for added novelty and engagement.
3. Auditory & Interactive
- Bingo Dabber with Sound: Marks squares and emits a gentle click for students who benefit from auditory feedback.
- Small Bells or buzzers attached to tokens—students give it a quick shake when they mark a square.
4. Fine-Motor Supports
- Easy-Grip Blocks: Built-up, chunky cubes that are simple to pick up and place.
- Velcro Dots: Students stick and unstuck reusable dots, promoting finger strength without frustration.
5. Edible/Novelty (Reward-Based)
- Mini Marshmallows or Cereal Pieces (e.g., Cheerios)—students place then eat at the end of the round as a treat.
- Mini Erasers shaped like animals or emojis for collectible fun.
Implementation Tips
- Offer each student a small tray or plate to hold loose tokens.
- Pre-sort and label marker types at stations so students can choose their preferred style.
- Pair students who need extra support with a peer buddy or paraprofessional to keep the flow smooth.
By providing multiple marker options, you ensure that every learner—regardless of sensory, motor, or cognitive needs—can fully engage in the Friendship Bingo Blast activity.
Lesson Plan
Interest Hunt Adventure Lesson Plan
Students will complete a structured scavenger-hunt activity to ask classmates about their personal interests and record responses, fostering communication and peer connections.
High-school students in a self-contained setting often experience social anxiety. This icebreaker reduces barriers, encourages peer interaction, and builds a welcoming community ahead of academic lessons.
Audience
High School Self-Contained Students with Significant Disabilities
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interest-based scavenger hunt promotes peer questioning and sharing.
Materials
- Interest Hunt Adventure Task Cards, - Personal Interest Recording Sheets, - Clipboards, - Pencils, - Visual Timer, and - Stickers (optional reward)
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review and cut apart the Interest Hunt Adventure Task Cards.
- Print one Personal Interest Recording Sheet per student; make extras for peers or aides.
- Gather clipboards, pencils, stickers, and set up a visible countdown using the visual timer.
- Arrange desks/chairs to create clear pathways for students to move and mingle safely.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain that today they’ll learn about classmates’ hobbies and favorites through a fun scavenger hunt.
- Show one sample task card and recording sheet. Point out where to write a peer’s name or initial next to each prompt.
- Review key phrases: “Do you like…?” “What is your favorite…?” “Can I write your name?”
Step 2
Modeling Activity
5 minutes
- Role-play with a student or aide: pick one task card (e.g., “Find someone who loves basketball”) and model asking the question.
- Demonstrate writing the responder’s name/initial and give a sticker as a positive reward.
- Emphasize respectful listening, waiting turns, and saying “Thank you.”
Step 3
Scavenger Hunt
15 minutes
- Distribute task cards, recording sheets, clipboards, and pencils.
- Start the visual timer for 15 minutes; students move around to ask at least five peers about different interests.
- Encourage one question at a time; after receiving an answer, students record the peer’s name/initial next to that prompt.
- Offer picture symbol supports or read prompts aloud for students needing assistance.
- Pair students who need extra social support with a peer buddy or paraprofessional.
Step 4
Share & Closure
5 minutes
- Gather students in a
Worksheet
Interest Hunt Task Cards
Instructions: Cut apart the cards along the lines. Each card has a prompt—circulate, ask a classmate the question, and write their name or initial on the line. Try to find at least five different classmates!
Task Card 1
Find someone who loves basketball.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 2
Find someone whose favorite subject is English.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 3
Find someone who enjoys drawing or painting.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 4
Find someone who has traveled to another country.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 5
Find someone who plays video games.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 6
Find someone who likes to cook or bake.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 7
Find someone who listens to music every day.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 8
Find someone whose favorite book is in the fantasy or sci-fi genre.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 9
Find someone who enjoys hiking or being outdoors.
Name/Initial: _______________
Task Card 10
Find someone whose birthday is in the summer.
Name/Initial: _______________