Recreational Maths 2010

House Bingo
Introduction
‘House bingo’ is designed to make learning math more interesting for children. For most people
especially children, mathematics is not something to get excited about. Math is a subject that
most were forced to take at school. Therefore, “house bingo” is designed to motivate students
in learning math in the early stage. This activity is suitable for year 1, year 2 and year 3 students
and is derived from the famous card game ‘BINGO’. In this game, instead of yelling the word
“bingo!” the students are asked to build a house from different shapes provided. Young
children prefer using visual rather than listening when learning. This game provides guidelines,
practice and exercises that may help students to understand further the concepts or skills
taught.

Objective

 To practice mental arithmetic skill.

 To enhance their problem- solving skills.

Rules

 3-4 people in one group

 Each number from the box represent an answer
 Maximum time limit to answer a question is 90 seconds. If the time given exceed, the
teacher must proceed to the next question.
 Questions given are based on lower primary level topics (i.e. additions and subtractions,
etc.)
 Teachers are allowed to add or alter any questions to suit the ability of their students
 If a winner is identified, the teacher must check their answers.

1
 Recreational Maths 2010

How to play the game

 Select 5 different numbers from the ‘box’.

3 2 7
4 8 15
22 18 12
1 10 14
13 5 6 Fig 1: box numbers

 5 different shapes representing the house (oval, square, circle, rectangle and triangle)
will be given to each group.

 Each group must attach each of their numbers to each shape only. E.g. numbers chosen
are 4, 2, 5, 18, 1. Therefore attach 4 to square, 2 to triangle etc.
 Place the numbered shapes in front of classroom
 The teacher starts the game by randomly drawing a flash card from a box.
 If the student does not understand the question, the teacher will explain in detail.
 As a group, solve all questions given by the teacher. If the answer of the question is the
same to the number on your one of your shapes, run in front to get that shape.
 Once you have collected all of your shapes, start to build your house

 Raise your hand once you complete your house and you are the winner.

2
 Recreational Maths 2010

Example of questions:
1. How many apples are there in this picture?

2. Ali has 1 orange and Siti has 3 oranges, how many oranges altogether they have?

+
Ali Siti

3. Mariam has 4 candies, she gave 2 candies to her brother, Abu and 1 to her younger
sister, Laila. How many candy left with her?

- - =?
3
 Recreational Maths 2010
4. Count the number of cars in this picture:

5. How many items are there all together?

+¿

4
 Recreational Maths 2010
6. John’s mom cut a birthday cake into 8 slices. She gave to John’s friend 1 slice each
person in the party. John’s friends who are attending the party are; Jimmy, Rose, Tom,
Isabelle, Kurt and Jenifer. How many slice of cake left?

-
7. How many shirts are there in Adam’s drawer?

5
 Recreational Maths 2010
8. How many kittens do Umairah have?

9. What is the number given in this picture?

22
10. Count how many pairs of shoes are there?

6
 Recreational Maths 2010
11. Ali already has 7 fishes in his fish tank; his father bought him another 3 fishes. How
many fishes are there in his fish tank now?

+¿

12. There are twenty bicycles in the Ahmad’s store. He sold seven of them, how many
bicycles left in his store?

7
 Recreational Maths 2010
13. Abu is twelve years old and Amal is three years older than Abu. How old is Amal?

14. How many days are in two weeks?

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday 1 week
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

15. How many ice creams are there in the picture? (Ans: 18)

Conclusion
Year 1-3 students can benefit from this activity because the topics can meet the criteria of each
lower primary level. It is hoped that students will come to like mathematic subject through this
activity and realize that there are fun ways in learning mathematic. Visual objects are provided
to help students with their learning in math.