Using Bingo in the classroom to encourage positivity and new goals

With a new year comes the opportunity to bring positive energy into the classroom, encouraging new goals, new routines and new opportunities for growth.

A unique way to start off the new year is to introduce and create 2026 Bingo cards. This Bingo activity is not just about crossing out squares, but it also helps students see their progress, feel proud of their efforts and stay excited about meeting new goals all year long.

Creating these can be differentiated and tailored to whatever you see fit in your classroom. Students can fill their blank squares with personal goals or tasks they want to accomplish in the new year, or these can be filled with academic goals they have for themselves.

Whatever you may choose, here are three simple steps to feature New Years Bingo in the classroom:

1. Pick a purpose. Are these cards for academic growth, kindness growth, to build a stronger classroom community? Or simply filled with new years resolutions they may have, each unique to each student? Decide your focus and create a sample of what one may look like for your students, or come up with examples as a class.

2. Create the Bingo card. Depending on your students’ ages, you can have them draw their own grids or you can use a template, like the one below. The center square is a free space and the rest are blank squares to be filled. You can encourage students to mix words with drawings, allow creativity to flow!

3. Track your progress! Here is the fun part. Students can choose to use stickers, a tracker or simply just cross off each square as they complete it. Remind them they have an entire year to do so, and they should not rush the process. They can choose their “reward” once they complete a blackout. This can be anything they’d like to celebrate themselves with.

What are some ways you’re encouraging goal-setting in your classroom this year? Share your ideas with us on the Arizona PBS Kids Facebook page!

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About the author

Marissa Will is the mother of two, Olivia (8) and Logan (7). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent over 10 years educating third graders, with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.