3 digit addition problems to increase problem solving skills in your kids
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3 Digit Addition Problems Activities To Increase Problem Solving Now

Teaching your students the concept of 3 digit addition problems is essential for their math skills development. Without a solid foundation in these basic skills, students will face challenges as they progress to higher grade levels.

Let’s explore some strategies you can use inside your classroom to teach 3 digit addition more effectively. So let’s dive in!

Understanding The Basics of 3 Digit Addition Problems

To build a solid foundation of 3 digit addition skills in your students, start by introducing the concept of place value.

Students should know the value of every digit in a 3 digit number. And that should happen even before they begin practicing their addition skills.

Once your students have mastered the place values, it’s time to introduce them to add 2 and 3 digit numbers. This is the time when you gradually introduce them to the concept of regrouping.

Building your student’s skills in this way will allow them to make sense of what they are learning sequentially.

Engaging 3 Digit Addition Problems Worksheet

Printable worksheets are a must have tool for all math teachers in their classrooms, again not the only ones.

In addition to this, engaging printable worksheets keep your students in the learning process and draw their attention towards solving math and absorbing what they are learning.

But creating visually appealing worksheets for your students to work on can be a daunting task.

Here are a few 3 digit addition problems worksheet ideas to consider using in your classroom.

  • 3 Digit Addition Riddles activity


Adding riddles activity worksheets in your classroom creates an element of excitement in students. Want some inspiration? Check out these 3 digit addition riddles worksheets in my TPT store!

3 digit addition and subtraction problems worksheets
Addition And Subtraction Riddles Worksheets



Here is how it works. Print out one of the worksheets and hand it out to your students. The visually appealing images and the mystery element of the riddles creates a fun and exciting experience for students.

Students then works on the problems to find the clues and solve the riddles. Once all the problems are solved, students can then look for the answer and write the matching alphabet assigned to the problem in the given blanks.

Once all the blanks are filled, students reveal the answer to the riddle. Honestly, riddle worksheets are what my students are always begging for more. I always make sure to incorporate such riddles in my class.

Want to see what I use check them here.

  • 3 Digit Addition Color by Number Worksheets

Color By Number is another engaging way to add excitement to your classroom. What’s more interesting is these activities are self checking.

After finding the answer to their problems, kids look for the colors that the correct answer points to and color in the coloring sheet with the desired color.

This sparks creativity and fun, which makes working on these activities enjoyable. Don’t want to make your own! Check this out

3 digit addition and subtraction problems color by number worksheets
3 Digit Addition And Subtraction Color By Number Worksheets

Lastly, check out the ones I created for busy teachers like you here.

  • 3 Digit Addition Maze Activity


Another activity you can do in your classroom is this 3 digit addition maze worksheet. These mazes are also self checking which makes less grading and more free time for the teachers. Whereas more learning for the students.

Want some free 3 digit addition problems maze activity click here for a free printable.

My kids are excited to find the answer to the problem they are working on and to find out how they are going to navigate the maze. This interactive activity not only increases their addition skill along with problem solving but keeps them actively engaged in solving math problems.

Want to access Free Math Resources? Click Here!
Free Adding and Subtracting Decimal Mystery Picture Activity

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    Free Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF for 5th Grade

    Are you a 5th grade math teacher trying to figure out more ways to help your students. Get this engaging and no prep printable adding and subtracting decimals activities PDF for a class that’s full of both fun and learning at the same time. Ensure your students master adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade with ease.

    These engaging worksheets are designed to make decimal operations fun and accessible. In this blog we are talking about helping you to build confidence and proficiency in your students abilities to add and subtract decimals using mystery puzzle activity.

    Why should you teach decimal operations?

    It’s a very important skill to teach your students how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals. The knowledge that your students gain by building this particular skill is very important in their daily lives while dealing with height, weight, money, etc. But before this, they need to nail down their basic about decimal place values. Having prior knowledge of decimal place values, your students will be better able to understand decimal operations like adding and subtracting decimals.

    Here are a few resources you can try in your classroom for teaching decimal addition and subtraction:

    Engaging Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF

    Keep in mind you need to build up your student’s basic understanding of decimal numbers before your use this printable mystery puzzle activity for review work.

    FREE Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF

    Adding and Subtracting Decimals Mystery Puzzle Activity

    Suppose you want to review adding and subtracting decimals for your 5th grade math students. But your goal is to make them capable enough to be able to think independently on the math problems. Why not try these no prep adding and subtracting decimals activities PDF with mystery puzzle worksheets? Here is an example of how it looks:

    How does this activity work?

    First, print the activity page and cut the puzzle pieces on the right side of the page. You can even tell your students to cut the pieces themselves.

    Second, they solve the problem of adding and subtracting decimals on the left side of the page. They can use the block they are working on to show their work or even use the back side of the page to show.

    Lastly, they find the puzzle picture with the answer they have found and paste it on that specific question. Encourage them to keep on working until they reveal the mystery picture.

    Adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade mystery puzzle not only helps them with their decimal problem solving skills but also lets them wonder what mystery lies ahead of them.

    If you are interested in the free printable adding and subtracting decimals activity, fill in the form below with your name and email address, and it will be delivered to your inbox.

    Click here to download PDF. The activity has an answer key, just in case your kiddos get stuck while solving the puzzle. I hope you found this post helpful.

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    Contact me at [email protected]

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    Best Saint Patrick’s Day Math Activities for 5th Grade to use NOW

    Are you and your kids ready for some festive fun St. Patrick’s Day spirit in your classroom?

    Are you ready to say goodbye to boring activities and see your kids excited to learn math this season?

    Then follow along with me for some super fun things you can try in your classroom this season.

    By using these St. Patrick’s Day themed Solve The Room Activity you will be able to finally bring some Irish charm into your classroom.

    But…

    First things first why would you actually need to use this activity?

    For me personally, this activity is something I use in my 5th grade math classroom whenever I feel like my kids need a break from their usual math learning and it’s time for some movement going to keep their learning juice flow.

    So if it feels like you are facing the same problem, then here are my top 3 reasons why you should use Saint Patrick’s Day themed Scoot activities in your math class:

    1. Encourages Movement and Interaction:

    The ‘Solve The Room‘ aspect of this activity adds a physical aspect to learning.

    Saint Patrick's Day decimal operation scoot practice activities | St. Patty's Day Adding and subtracting multiplying and dividing decimals for 5th grade

    Kids aren’t just sitting at their desks and practicing, instead, they’re moving around the classroom.

    This is even more beneficial for young kids in elementary or upper elementary who learn better when they’re physically engaged.

    2. Engagement through Theme-Based Learning:

    Themed activities are always a win in classrooms.

    Themed seasonal activities like Saint Patrick’s Day Math, are a fantastic way to keep students engaged.

    Saint Patrick's Day fraction operation color by number coloring worksheets and activities | St. Patty's Day Adding and subtracting fractions

    Using these activities we will integrate the fun and festive spirit of the holiday into our March math lesson plans.

    This will not only capture student’s interest but make learning math more enjoyable for them.

    3. Promoting Collaboration and Social Skills:

    With all the rise in the use of technology for learning, kids are being glued to their screens a lot.

    These activities allow them to think outside the box and build their creativity muscle.

    Now… it isn’t just about math; it’s also about working together and developing social skills.

    Saint Patrick's Day fraction operation color by number coloring worksheets and activities | St. Patty's Day Adding and subtracting fractions

    Your kids can work in pairs or small groups which encourages teamwork and communication.

    Want to use these activities inside your classroom?

    Sign up below and get one of the freebies sent straight to your inbox.

  • | |

    Fall Math Worksheets and Activities for 3rd – 5th Grade

    As the leaves change, so can your math lessons! 

    Fall gives us teachers the perfect opportunity to engage students with fun, fall themed math activities that build excitement for learning inside classrooms. 

    Fall Fun Worksheets and Activities for 4th and 5th grade

    For me seasonal math not only brings a fresh twist inside classroom for kids, but it also give me some change to use fun activities to keep my upper elementary kids engaged with unique activities that are different but perfectly with the curriculum. 

    Here are some way I have found helpful to bring the spirit of autumn into my math lessons to keep students motivated and excited to learn.

    Why Use Fall-Themed Math Activities?

    Once the back-to-school buzz goes away, students may start to lose some of the enthusiasm they had in the first few weeks of school. 

    This can be challenging to maintain that level of energy in the classroom as the routine sets in. 

    And tis is where seasonal activities come in handy and exciting to keep them engaged and ansurprised to work on their task! 

    Fall-themed math activities can help apture student’s attention and re-energize their will to keep their math learning moving forward.

    These activities not only make lessons fun but also ensure students are still practicing critical math skills in an engaging way.

    Upper Elementary Fall Math Activities you Should Try this Year:

    Here are some of you can use activities to help your 3rd 4th or even 5th grade students get into the Fall spirit while practicing essential math concepts:

    Fall-Themed Solve-the-Room Activities

    Fall fraction and decimal operation activity 5th grade and upper elementary grades

    This activity can transform your classroom into a dynamic learning environment. Students will move around the room, solving math problems with a fall spirit.

    Activities like these are perfect for keeping students active while making sure they’re reviewing their key math concepts, such as Decimal and fraction operations or even math facts.

    Fall Color-by-Number Worksheets

    Ahhh! Who does not like some coloring to go along with their math centers and daily practice?

    Color by number worksheets combine creativity with math practice to keep them on their learning journey and reduce their learning fatigue at the same time. 

    Honestly this alone is like a win win situation for me. 

    Every time I take out one of these Coloring sheets kids are just excited and motivated to work on them. 

    What’s most important is there are jut 8 problems they need to solve instead of bajillions just to get them to the coloring part.

    This is the reason why they are more motivated to work on this single page coloring math sheets.

    Here is how it works: Students will solve math problems and then use their answers to complete fall-themed coloring pages. 

    It’s a great activity for early finishers or as a calming task during busy classroom days which is a plus.

    Fall Math Scavenger Hunt

    Did you just said hunt? I think math reviews do not have to be boring? 

    Using this fraction scavenger hunt activity this Fall and turn you class in to a Scavenger Hunt adventure that your kids would love to be in.

    Students solve math problems while following clues around the room. It’s an engaging way to review concepts and encourage teamwork.

    And the best part is, it’s self checking so less work for you but more fun for them. 

    Fall Fractions and Decimal Operations – Mystery Picture Puzzle!

    Tired of searching for an engaging and fun way to help your 5th-grade students master fractions and decimal operations? 

    Maybe try out some mystery picture puzzle math activities.

    Using the Fall Fractions and Decimal Operations Picture Puzzle is the perfect way to practice math and increase creativity to keep your students motivated and excited on learning their fractions concepts.

    These puzzles gives students the opportunity to solve fractions and decimal problems while slowing revealing a fall-themed picture. 

    Whether you’re looking for a way to reinforce lessons on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals or simply want to add an interactive twist to your math centers, this activity does it all!

    How to Implement It

    This resource is dynamic and easy to use into your classroom. You can use it as:

    • A fun, no-prep fall math center
    • A homework assignment to reinforce what was taught in class.
    • An engaging review activity before an upcoming test.
    • A small group activity for collaborative learning.

    How to have Fall-Themed Math Spirit in the Classroom

    Using fall-themed classroom activities and resources into your lessons is easy, and literally there are so many creative ways to do it! 

    Engaging Fall addition subtraction multiplication division math powerpoint game activities for 3rd 4th and 5th grade kids

    Here are a few ideas from me to get you started:

    • Create Fall-Themed Math Centers: Yup that’s the first one. You need to set up multiple fall-themed stations in your classroom where students can rotate between different activities, like the Fall Solve-the-Room or Color-by-Number sheets. This gives kids diverse options and allows students to work independently or in small groups.
    • Use for Early Finishers or Warm-Up Activities: These activities are perfect for students who finish their work early or for a quick and engaging warm-up to get everyone focused on math first thing in the morning.
    • Fall Decor for Extra Fun: This one is a must! Decorate your classroom with fall leaves, pumpkins, and other seasonal visual elements. Then, use these resources as part of a fall-themed math review or even a class competition!

    By using these fun ideas, you’re not only bringing fall into the classroom but also boosting students’ enthusiasm for math.

    To bring the magic of fall into your math lessons. You will be able to watch your students’ willingness to work on their classwork soar, the big idea is to use multiple Fall themed elements in your day and your kids will thank you for all that you do for them.

    Ready to add some seasonal fun to your math lessons?

    Check out our Fall Math Activities on my TPT store Daily Dose of Mathematics store!

  • | |

    Boost Math Engagement with Fun Fall Themed Interactive Games

    Have you ever found yourself scanning through the room during math class, looking at a mix of bored faces, frustrated sighs, and the occasional doodler?

    I know I have, and we’ve all been there. But the real challenge is making math both fun and educational for kids at the same time.

    This might seem challenging during some teaching days, but what if I told you there’s a way to sprinkle a bit of autumn magic into your math lessons and get those hands eagerly shooting up with answers?

    And yes, that’s possible! The best way to make kids fully involved and ready to solve some problems no matter how hard they are is by using interactive games. 🍂✨

    Enagging Fall addition subtraction multiplication division math powerpoint game activities for 3rd 4th and 5th grade kids

    Use these interactive Fall-themed games in your classroom for small groups during centers or as a whole class activity and see the class engagement soar.

    Here’s Why This Bundle is a Game-Changer:

    • Engagement Overload: With a delightful “Pick a Fall Cookie” Game, learning basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division isn’t just another math lesson. It’s an experience. One where students eagerly click through questions, challenging themselves and having a blast while at it.
    • Comprehensive Coverage: This bundle isn’t just about practicing a single concept like division. Oh no! Your students will dive deep into 3 digit addition and subtraction with regrouping, tackle 3 by 1 and 2 digit division, and master 2 by 2 digit multiplication. It’s a math smorgasbord!
    • Perfectly Structured: Each game comes with 12 questions, allowing for a full, immersive session without dragging it out. Plus, navigation is a breeze with interactive features like clickable numbers and a handy home button.
    • Versatility: Whether you’re looking to jazz up your math centers, provide engaging activities for early finishers, or differentiate your instruction, this bundle has got you covered.

    What you get:

    Once you get this fall interactive games bundle, you’ll find a series of PowerPoint games designed to keep kids engaged in learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, along with 6 digit number place value practice. The goal? To make math engaging, interactive, and the highlight of your students’ day.

    The main slides have interactive numbers with fun and exciting fall images that students can click on and go to that specific slide to solve. 

    Enagging Fall addition subtraction multiplication division math powerpoint game activities for 3rd 4th and 5th grade kids

    Conclusion:

    So, if you’re ready to transform those groans into grins and make math the highlight of your kid’s day, try these fall addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and place value bundle and see your kid’s engagement and confidence soar.🍁📖🍪

    Try these math fraction activities if you want more fun and excitement in your classroom.

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  • How to Explain Integers and Their Opposites to Students (Without the Confusion)

    If integers make your students’ eyes roll, you’re not alone. Integers and their opposites, especially negative numbers, can feel abstract and confusing.

    This is where students start mixing up subtraction with “opposites” or struggle to see how positive and negative numbers relate. 

    The good news? With the right visuals and activities, integers don’t have to be this overwhelming. 

    In fact, you can make them click for students in a way that actually sticks.

    1. Start with Real-Life Examples

    The fastest way to make integers feel less intimidating in grade 6 is to ground them in everyday life. A few examples that always land with my students are:

    • Temperature: Show how 10° above zero and 10° below zero represent opposites.
    • Elevation: Compare a mountain peak to a cave below sea level.
    • Money: Talk about having $20 in your bank account versus owing $20.

    The goal here is to make the concept more relatable using the example, so the students can connect faster. 

    You can even ask them to share their own examples, maybe like sports scores or video game points going into the negative.

    Integers and Their Opposites activities and pdf worksheets with number line practice

    2. Use a Number Line for Integers and their Opposites

    A number line is the foundation for understanding integers. You should first focus on making sure students understand integers using a number line. 

    When students see numbers laid out visually, they notice the symmetry: every positive number has a negative counterpart that is at the same distance from zero.

    • Highlight how +5 and -5 “mirror” each other.
    • Reinforce the idea that zero is the center, it’s neutral ground, so its negative is also 0.
    • Use visuals (a giant number line taped on the floor works wonders).

    This method makes integers less of an abstract idea and more of a pattern they can see and interact with. 

    3. Introduce Integer Opposites as “Math Twins”

    Kids love simple, fun language. Try describing opposites as math twins:

    • +3 and -3 are twinssame distance, different sides of zero.
    • Use hand motions: one hand moves right, the other moves left.
    • Have students physically “be the numbers” by standing on either side of a taped zero line in the classroom.

    This builds a physical connection, visualizes the concept and gets them out of their seats (which is always a win).

    4. Make it Interactive (Coloring + Games)

    Here is the thing: students learn best when they do. Practicing is the key to success in math. Bring integers to life with:

    • Coloring activities where each answer reveals a picture.
    • Matching games: pair positives with their opposites.
    • Scavenger hunts: hide cards around the room and let students find “integer pairs.”
    Integers and Their Opposites activities and pdf worksheets with number line practice

    So if you want a ready to use resource that saves you prep time, I created a set of integer activities and coloring worksheets designed exactly for this concept. 

    They turn practice into a fun activity while reinforcing integer opposites in an interactive way.

    Integers and Their Opposites activities and pdf worksheets with number line practice

    5. Common Mistakes Students Make

    Even after a lot of practice and explaining with strong visuals, some misconceptions pop up again and again: Here is a list of a few that I encounter again anad again:

    • Mixing up subtraction with opposites: For this, clarify that “the opposite of +4 is -4,” but “subtracting 4” is a different operation.
    • Thinking zero has an opposite: Reinforce that zero is its own buddy it has no opposite.
    • Believing negatives are always “smaller”: Explain that while -10 is less than -2, the distance from zero tells us size in terms of opposites.

    Take a few minutes to address these early, and you’ll prevent bigger struggles in later concepts.

    6. Wrap It Up 

    Teaching integers doesn’t have to be a headache for you or your students. 

    By combining real-life examples, number lines, and interactive activities, you’ll help students finally see opposites in a way that sticks.

    Want to save yourself even more prep time? 

    Grab my Integers and Their Opposites Coloring Worksheets on TPT. You can even find interactive activities for GCF and LCM here. They’re ready-to-go, fun for students, and designed to make integers simple instead of stressful.

    And if you’d like even more freebies for your math classroom, join my email list, where I share grab-and-go resources like fraction operations for busy math teachers like you.

  • |

    How to teach the area of composite/complex figures in an EPIC way!

    Struggling to teach the area of composite figures in a way your students actually get?

    Ever wondered that every time you feel like thinking about how to get started or how even to think about introducing the topic to your kids, frustration kicks in!

    Believe it or not, we all have been there during our first few years of teaching.

    And you’re not alone… If your kids are zoning out the second you say “area” keep reading, this post breaks it down with easy, engaging ideas that make sense (and work for all levels).

    Teach kids how to find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes  figures | middle school math lessons and activities

    Explore the Area of complex figures in an exciting way

    Let’s be real right now teaching math isn’t what it used to be. Today’s kids are growing up with TikTok-level attention spans and infinite entertainment options at their fingertips.

    That means if your area of complex shapes lessons are not engaging and exciting enough, you’ve already lost half the battle.

    Here’s the good news, you don’t need flashy tech or hours of prep work just to make the area of composite figures click for your students. You just need the right strategy.

    So how do you teach this topic in a way that’s fun, clear, and actually sticks?

    find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes lesson math middle school

    The answer: make it visual, hands-on, and connected to real life, yup, that’s right this way your students aren’t just memorizing formulas, they’re solving problems like mini math detectives on a mission hunt.

    Now the question is where do you begin?

    Start with the Basics:

    Like I said, it all starts with basics.

    And to be honest, there is no other answer to this problem other than nailing the basics!

    Here is the hard truth… if kids find the lesson interesting, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn about the problem, think about it, practice it, and ultimately feel a sense of confidence in their skills.

    This is why using gamified methods of teaching math inside your classroom can be a handy tool for teaching any concept!

    Teach kids how to find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes  figures | middle school math lessons and activities

    Seeing Math Everywhere:

    Here are the steps to help kids see math everywhere in their life.

    Step 1: Help Students See Math Everywhere (Real-Life Hook)

    One of the most effective ways to introduce composite figures is by showing students where these shapes exist in their world.

    What it means is to check for there: Activate prior knowledge. Ask your students:

    • What basic shapes do you already know?
    • Can you think of any objects that are made up of more than one shape?

    Then guide them to see that a playground, a building (maybe school) floor plan, or even a weird-shaped pizza is made of multiple simple shapes.

    🟩 + 🟥 + 🟦 = Composite figure.

    Your goal here is to help them realize that composite shapes are just familiar shapes combined, nothing fancy.

    Teach kids how to find Area of Complex or Composite Shapes  figures | middle school math lessons and activities

    Step 2: Revisit the Basics with Hands-On Practice

    Before diving into composite figures, make sure your students are rock solid on calculating the area of:

    • Squares
    • Rectangles
    • Triangles

    Here is a Pro Tip: Use graph paper and have them COUNT squares to confirm what the formulas actually do. This helps your visual and tactile learners “see” the math in action.

    Step 3: Decompose a Composite Figure (using engaging activities)

    Once the basics are solid, it’s time for the real fun, breaking down a complex shape into smaller, manageable parts.

    Here is an activity you can try in your class:

    1. Show them a real-life layout — like a house blueprint or the shape of a playground.
    2. Ask them to identify the basic shapes they see.
    3. Have them outline or color-code each individual shape inside the figure.
    4. Guide them through finding the area of each part — and then adding it all together.

    Want a fun way to reinforce this practice? Try out this this area and perimeter Color by Number activity!

    Finding the Area of Composite Figures or Complex Figures (Color by Number)

    Since kids have already mastered how to calculate the area of regular shapes, it’s time to introduce them to composite figures.

    You can use any composite shape, like a park or a house layout, and ask what they see.

    Tell them to imagine the shape as a whole building made by several small ones and treat every small shape like a rectangle, square, or triangle as a room inside the building.

    Let them think about this concept for a while, and then decompose the shape into its parts and find the area of the individual basic shape.

    Finding Area of Complex Figures Piece by Piece

    Next, it’s time to decompose composite figures like literally breaking the big shape into smaller, familiar parts.

    For better understanding, it’s good to introduce a composite figure with 2 or 3 squares or rectangles and then move on to the more complex figures.

    The next step is to ask your kids how many squares or rectangles they see inside their big figures.

    Have them trace or outline each individual shape in a different color and then calculate the area of each smaller part one shape at a time.

    Pro Tip: Write the area inside each shape as they go to help them see their progress. Next step is to calculate the areas of these individual shapes.

    Since your students by now already know how to calculate the area of regular figures, it would not be a daunting task. Lastly, ask them to add all of them together to get the total area.

    Want some resources to practice the area of squares, rectangles, and triangles in an exciting way? Check out this area and perimeter Color by Number activity below.

    Area of complex figures review practice and perimeter of regular and composite figure, area and perimeter of regular shapes

    Finding the Area of Complex Figures (Trending and Most Popular)

    Now comes the fun part: tell your kids that we are calculating the area of the whole building, not just the single rooms inside.

    They also know how to calculate it by adding the areas of each smaller shape. Basically, by summing up, kids will be able to tell what the area of the complex figure is. 

    Want some fun digital and printable activities to help you with this lesson?

    Check out this exciting whole class activity: Digital game for area of composite figure that also includes printaba le worksheet for student accountability.

    Area of composite figure digital game and activity for 6th grade

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    Click here to learn more about 5th Grade math activities that keep your students excited while learning math year long.

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