Lesson Plan

Shake and Spill

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Shake and Spill lesson plan also includes:

Entertaining as well as educational, this math activity about decomposing numbers is bound to capture the engagement of young learners. Given a cup and five two-color counters, young mathematicians simply shake and spill the cup, creating an addition equation that represents the number of each color showing. Adapt this lesson to teaching about subtraction by having young scholars write equations that show the difference between the two colors rather than the sum. Implement this fun activity first as a whole group, including it as a center during math rotations once children become familiar with the procedure.

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CCSS: Designed
Pros
  • Guiding questions are included that support children with learning to decompose numbers
  • Directions for the activity are straightforward and easy to understand
  • Offers a suggestion for creating homemade two-color counters
Cons
  • A worksheet or graphic organizer is required to support children with recording the results of the activity
  • Requires a class supply of two-color counters
Common Core