Better Than BingoActivity slides
Better Than Bingo · Classroom Edition
Who’s Leading?
The class follows a secret motion leader while one detective watches for the pattern.
10–14 min6–30 peopleWhole group
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Teacher prep · Do not project yet
Set the room up for success.
Materials
- None
Before you begin
- Choose a way for the detective to look away without leaving supervision
- Prepare examples of seated motions
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Teacher language · Do not project yet
What to say
“One leader will change the motion and everyone will copy. The detective gets three guesses. Your job is to watch the whole group—not stare at one person.”
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Teacher notes · Do not project yet
Keep it comfortable and useful.
Make room for everyone
- Use seated, low-impact motions.
- Offer non-detective roles such as motion chooser or round starter.
- Do not select a student as leader without checking willingness.
Watch out for
- Do not send a child unsupervised outside the room.
- Stop classmates from blaming anyone who accidentally reveals the leader.
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For students
Here’s what to do.
- 1
Seat or stand students in a visible circle.
- 2
Choose a detective who looks down or faces away.
- 3
Silently select a willing leader.
- 4
Begin copying the leader’s motion and invite the detective to watch.
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For students
Keep going.
- 5
The leader changes motions several times while the detective makes up to three guesses.
- 6
Play two or three short rounds with new volunteers.
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Prompt 01
Pat knees
Take a moment to think. Passing or writing instead is always okay.
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Prompt 02
Tap two fingers
Take a moment to think. Passing or writing instead is always okay.
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Prompt 03
Roll shoulders
Take a moment to think. Passing or writing instead is always okay.
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Prompt 04
Open and close hands
Take a moment to think. Passing or writing instead is always okay.
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Prompt 05
Nod slowly
Take a moment to think. Passing or writing instead is always okay.
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Wrap it up
One last thought.
- What helped the group follow together?
- How did you watch without giving away the leader?