WORD GAME BINGO: A BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT PACKAGE FOR IMPROVING TEXTUAL RESPONDING TO SIGHT WORDS

Abstract

Six third‐grade students identified as deficient in reading skills tested the efficacy of word game bingo for acquisition and retention of sight word reading. The design was a modified multiple baseline in which treatment was implemented over 3 of 4 word sets and terminated on earlier sets when commencing treatment on later sets. Four sets of bingo cards were constructed on 7 × 9 cm paper divided into 25 equal‐sized boxes. Sight words of each set were randomly placed into 24 of these boxes (the center box was marked “free”). Bingo winners were given tokens which were traded weekly for reinforcing activities. Noticeable improvements occurred for the word sets receiving the game treatment (sets A to C). Mean percentage points of improvement from baseline to treatment were approximately 30%. Terminal levels of correct responding exceeded 90%. Several variations of the game were suggested for future research and word game bingo was advocated as an effective behavioral technique for teachers to train sight word reading.