This ‘Mingle Bingo’ is a great ice- breaker for the start of the year. There are 25 spots on the card, each describing a physical attribute (such as green eyes), a capability (such as being able to lick your elbow!) or something specific about family and home (such as having a dog, or having two sisters). Students embark on a scavenger hunt to find someone in the class who fits that description . There are two slightly different Bingo cards (although they do have some of the same points on them) which could be used together with everyone randomly handed one or the other, or choose which you prefer according to what you know about characteristics within your class. The idea is that everyone mingles and asks each other specific questions. When students find someone who “ticks” one of the boxes on their sheet, that person writes their name down in the space provided. Each person can only be used once, so students have to use a little bit of tactical thinking about whose name to place where! For smaller classes adjust the game by giving students a certain number of boxes to fill in, or ask them to complete a row or two. The activity would also be great for use in a module on Geneticsas many of the Bingo boxes ask about characteristics which are dominant and recessive genes. The cards could also be used in an English as Second Language class in an activity about describing people.

A classroom poster which will constantly evolve as you add new words to it. Put words on trial and send them to Siberia! This resource gives an overview of the idea and contains printable templates to get you started. This can be used with a wide range of ages, just adapt the display accordingly.