This hands-on addition activity is an easy to make and highly engaging way for students to practice addition. It is FREE, hands-on, and easily differentiated. And really FUN! What more could you want out of an addition game? This shake and add math center is everything you could want from a center and more! I mean, who doesn’t like to shake it a bit?!
I call this center “Shake And Add” because the students shake the bag and then add! Simple huh?!
You will need: Zip-Loc bags (quart size), counting bears (or other manipulatives), and cardstock.
Step 1: Cut a strip of cardboard into two pieces. I make them about half the height of the Ziploc bag.
Step 2: Staple the two pieces of cardboard together to make a plus sign.
Next, staple the plus sign INSIDE the Zip-Lov bag. Make sure it’s as close to the center as you can get it.
Add counting bears or other manipulatives or counters! The number of bears or counters in the bag is the answer to the equation. You will want to make bags for numbers 1-10.
BAM! You have your shake and add activity ready to go. To use, students flip the bag upside down. The bears all tumble to the top. The students flip the bag back over and the bears tumble down. They end up on both sides of the plus sign creating….wait for it…an addition equation!
Students write the equation on their recording sheet and find the answer.
Repeat! Shake! Repeat!
Check out these videos of shake and add in action!
Click on the picture to get your free recording sheet
For more addition resources, check out these creations:
For more resources, check out these blog posts:
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19 comments
Gonzaga, of course. 🙂
jill.misener@bend.k12.or.us
Thanks! I enjoy reading your blog.
I absolutely LOVE the “Shake & Add!” I can't wait to try it. Thanks for the recording sheet!
You're the best!
-Andrea
simmonsa1@sfusd.edu
The joys of tornado season!!! LOVEthe ninja bunnies and the shake and add center!
I have to go with Missouri for the win (can't pick out of my home state! 🙂 )
Heather
Lagmom9906@yahoo.com
Hi Mr. Greg!
Our house is rooting for the Hoosiers!! I am a double graduate from there (both bachelors and masters). We have even taught our 3 year old to scream “IU”!!
Love, love your blog!
UCLA is the team in my house. vhair61215@gmail.com
Definitely OU!
Just found your blog, LOVE IT!!
caitlinelise.payne@gmail.com
Ok, you are a total genius! I love the shake and add idea and cannot wait to use it with my littles! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity 🙂 and sadly, I have noooo idea about sports, but I will say Hoosiers (only because you said that, and I don't even know if that's a team, so I'm cheating hehehe)
You know I love ya Greg! As always, you are the king of the monsters!
Hugs,
Khrys
Keepinitkoolinkinderland.blogspot.com
I love all of your ideas. I'm a first year kindergarten teacher and your documents have helped me survive the first year. I was hired 1 day before school; so needless to say didn't have a whole summer to make things! Thank you! I'd love to hear or see a blog on all the ways you use your 10 frames. Thanks!!! I'd love to win by the way!
I LOVE your stuff! And what's the NCAA?? Ha! I don't do sports. I do do wine. And Arrested Development. Does that count for anything?
Irene
mrsleeby@gmail.com
Learning With Mrs. Leeby
I love all of your ideas and centers, especially the Shake and Spill!
Too cute!
Sadly, I know nothing about basketball but I'll go with the Hoosiers since I went to Kindergarten in Indiana!
Linda
AroundtheKampfire
I love this blog much as my Hoosiers!! Let's go IU!!! My students are so excited to return from Spring Break next week because we will be doing stuff from your March Madness set. Oh, here in Kansas we start the first Wednesday of the month with the sirens. 🙂
~Aimee
agollnic@hotmail.com
Oh I can't see the video! It says that it's been taken down. *sad face* But anywhooo…the shake and add is BRILLIANT!!!
Love these ideas!! I'm currently teaching 4th grade, but it is very likely that I will be in Kindergarten next year! I really welcome the change and can't wait! My team is the Kansas State Wildcats….EMAW!!!!
Lisa
Super Pig and Tyrant King
Syracuse all the way!!!!
As usual – you have great ideas!!! I was talking to a male kindergarten teacher in my building yesterday and he was saying how his kids never stop talking and moving and I thought of all your posts. Sounds like you have the same mix of kiddos 🙂
Enjoy your Spring Break and hopefully a tornado doesn't ruin it.
Melissa
First Grade Smiles
mmachan16@gmail.com
Let's go WVU Mountaineers!!! Oh wait, we're not in it this year…
Love the shake and add!
murpclynn@yahoo.com
Great Stuff! Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!!
Edie
edie_keller@-sdr3.k12.co.us
Thanks for sharing this great idea Mr Greg! I came across this post via Pinterest (though I'm also a big fan of yours and follow your blog on bloglovin'), and have included it in my weekly round-up of terrific pins. If you'd like to check it out, you will find the post here: http://littlegreenteacher.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/top-5-pins-of-week-understanding-ten.html
Cheers,
Kelly at Little Green
Another great idea! I am going to be rooting for black and yellow this year. Hoping WSU Shockers make it all the way this year.
Buckeyes!! Thanks for all the freebies!!