Better Than BingoActivity slides
Better Than Bingo · Classroom Edition
Silent Ball
Toss a soft ball without speaking; a drop, uncatchable pass, or sound means taking a seat.
1–3 min1–100 peopleIndividual
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Teacher prep · Do not project yet
Set the room up for success.
Materials
- One soft foam ball or crumpled paper ball
Before you begin
- Clear fragile items
- Choose a fair boundary for catchable passes
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Teacher language · Do not project yet
What to say
“Stand by your desk. Toss only catchable passes and make no sound. A drop, unsafe pass, or sound means sit and keep watching until time is up.”
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Teacher notes · Do not project yet
Keep it comfortable and useful.
Make room for everyone
- Let students remain seated and signal readiness before receiving a pass.
- Allow a roll, table slide, or teacher-mediated pass.
- Students may opt to be scorekeeper or timer without being singled out.
Watch out for
- Use a soft object and make the passer—not the receiver—sit for an unsafe throw.
- Do not attach a lesson, reflection, or public share-out afterward.
- Announce the length, honor it, and move directly into the next task.
Better Than BingoGroup view
For students
Here’s what to do.
- 1
Students stand in their own spaces.
- 2
Begin with one silent, catchable toss.
- 3
A student sits after a drop, clearly uncatchable pass, or sound.
- 4
Continue until three minutes end or one student remains; reset everyone immediately afterward.