Thanksgiving: Pick & Cover Bingo
Thanksgiving “Pick & Cover” Bingo: A Festive Way to Build Letter and Sound Recognition!
Bring Thanksgiving fun into your literacy centers with Thanksgiving Pick & Cover Bingo! This versatile game is perfect for reinforcing letter recognition, uppercase-lowercase matching, and beginning sounds—all with a playful Thanksgiving twist! Students will enjoy using bingo dabbers, blocks, or even themed mini erasers to cover their boards, making this activity engaging, festive, and hands-on.
How to Play Thanksgiving Pick & Cover Bingo
This adaptable game comes with four different ways to play, so you can easily target specific skills and keep the excitement going in your classroom!
1. Match Uppercase & Lowercase Letters
Have students draw a lowercase letter card, then search for and cover the matching uppercase letter on their board (or vice versa). This activity helps students strengthen their ability to recognize and differentiate between uppercase and lowercase letters.
Tip: Tiny Thanksgiving-themed erasers make perfect markers and add a seasonal touch!
2. Use the Spinner for Lowercase Matching Fun
In this version, students use a spinner to select a lowercase letter and then find and cover the matching lowercase letter on their board. To make it easier or offer extra support, you can choose between two spinner options:
Lowercase Letter & Picture: Ideal for beginning sound support
Uppercase & Lowercase Letter: Great for building matching skills
This option adds a fun, interactive element that keeps students engaged and on task.
3. Cover the Beginning Sound
For this variation, students pick a picture card from the pile, identify the beginning sound of the picture, and cover the matching letter on their board. This option is excellent for practicing phonemic awareness and reinforcing early sound-letter relationships in a fun, Thanksgiving-themed way!
4. QR Code & Digital Slides Option
Want to take it digital? This version allows students to scan a QR code to play independently, or you can pull up the randomized picture cards on a smartboard or projector for a whole-group experience! Each slide displays a card in random order, giving students time to find and cover the matching letter on their board. This whole-group Bingo-style play is perfect for reinforcing skills in a fun, collaborative way.
Why You’ll Love Thanksgiving Pick & Cover Bingo
This game is designed with flexibility and engagement in mind, offering multiple ways to play and adapt to different skill levels and learning goals. Students stay focused as they:
Practice letter recognition (both uppercase and lowercase)
Build beginning sound awareness
Develop matching skills and fine motor coordination
Thanksgiving Pick & Cover Bingo is an excellent addition to literacy centers, small group instruction, or whole-class games, making phonics practice exciting and memorable.
