Are you looking for a fun math activity for summer? This FREE math center works on addition with sums up to ten. It is hands-on and is sure to keep your little mathematicians engaged and learning.
Getting Started:
The prep for this activity is quick and easy. Just print the free download and cut out your shells. I recommend laminating them for durability. Then print your recording sheet. Print as many as you have students at your center. For example: if you have 5 students in your group, you will want each of them to have a recording sheet. I printed mine on colored paper to add a pop of color. Then laminate them so that you can use them over and over with a dry erase marker. I also recommend printing a set of the manipulative shells for each group member.
The Activity:
I love that this activity gives you plenty of opportunities to model different addition strategies. First, have them pick a shell. Then have them write the addends into the first two shells. I make sure to use the word addends and explain that those are the two numbers that we are adding together. Then it is time to use our ten frame to build our equation. I ask them what the first addend is. The problem is 2+3. They tell me that my first addend is two. So we grab 2 pink shells and place them on the ten frame. Then I ask what our second addend is. They tell me that it is 3. So we add 3 purple shells to our ten frame. Now it is time to count up the total from our addends to get our sum. They count up their shells and announce “There are 5 shells!” Now it is time to write the sum in our last shell.
After they finish solving one problem, they can easily erase their dry erase marker and go onto the next equation. The set comes with plenty for your whole group.
For a fun twist you can add this center to a sensory bin with sand and real seashells. We used our seashell collection with them and it was a hit.
Click the download button below to snag your freebie. You may also want to check out my Math Clip Cards Set 1 {up to ten}. You can find more details and photos by clicking the photo.
Download your Free Seashell Addition set here.
