- Two containers (e.g. bowl, box, large cup; one set per team)
- One carrying container that can fit up to 20 math manipulatives at a time (e.g. cup, hat, pencil box)
- Math manipulatives (e.g. counting bears, pom poms, pennies) (one set per team)
- Addition and subtraction problem cards (one set per team; each team should use the same set)
Note: The sum of all answers to the problem cards should be less than or equal to the number of math manipulatives distributed to each team.
- Divide students into groups (suggest groups of 3-5).
- Line up each team on one end of the classroom (team base) and distribute one container, placed on the floor, and a carrying container to each team. Fill the other container full of math manipulatives (see note above for quantity) and place on the opposite side of the room across from the teams.
- Distribute a set of math problem cards to each student team. Shuffle the set and place the stack face down on the floor at team base.
- On "Go!", the first student draws the top card, solves the problem (encourage teammates to check the answer), then races to the manipulative container with the carrying container. The student counts out the correct number of manipulatives one at a time, places them in the carrying container, and races back to deposit them into the team container at team base.
- Once a student returns to team base, the next student repeats steps 3-4 until the problem cards are gone.
- The first team to complete all problems and fill their container wins!
Tip: Use AI to produce math problems.
Example prompt: Create 15 addition and subtraction problems using positive integers from 1–20. The answers must all be positive whole numbers. Answers can be duplicated. Present the problems in a two-column table labeled "Problem" and "Answer." Show and verify the sum of all answers.