Math

Empower Students to Learn Fractions With Word Problems Using Exciting Worksheets and Epic Activities

BySadia

Teaching adding and subtracting fractions isn’t easy, especially when you’re teaching upper elementary school kids.

You not only have to explain the basics but also make sure your fractions lessons are engaging enough so they pay full attention during the learning period and do not get distracted.

In this blog post, I will discuss with you some new and easy ways I have found helpful in teaching fraction operations to my kids during math class to help them engage with the problems at hand and be happily willing to practice adding and subtracting fractions.

So, let’s dive in…

1. Fun Fractions Maze Activity with Task Cards – Save the Queen

Adding Fractions with unlike denominator

This activity includes a printable self-checking maze that you can use with your kids to have them practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division of fractions with unlike denominators.

Each fraction operations maze activity comes with 12 task cards and a self-checking FUN maze, which keeps kids inspired to learn, but you do not have to spend all day grading.

The activity is story-based, in which your kids become detectives, helping the Queen bee, who is lost in the jungle, return home. For that, your kids have to work through the problems to bring her back home.

Once the kids have completed the activity, you can use the printable reward card to reward your kid’s hard work and create a positive motivation for them to practice their math skills happily the next time!

Want to check the adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions activity bundle? Click HERE.

2. Solve the Room Fractions Activities

Are your kids bored with their daily boring math routine work and want to have some fun and excitement while learning new concepts?

Try adding Solve the Room activities to help them get moving and learn all at the same time!

Solve the Room is my kid’s favorite activity as it allows them not to be glued to their desks but to move around the room while working on the problems. The best part is that it is very easy to set up.

All you have to do is print the question cards and place them in different spots inside your classroom. Next, give students their recording sheets. Kids move around the room, looking for problems with adding and subtracting fractions.

They solve the problems and record their answers on the recording sheets provided. You can also instruct them to use the back of the recording sheet to show their work, which is always a good idea.

If you want to try these activities for your next class, Click here.

3. Color by Number Fractions Activities

Coloring is LOVE for all my kids – no matter their age.

Primary, lower elementary, or upper elementary, you name it!

The easiest way teachers can use it to their advantage is by making any doodle on a piece of paper along with a bunch of practice problems and giving them to solve and color.

Using color by number activities in elementary math classes can enhance engagement, reinforce concepts like perimeter and area of complex figures and volume of rectangular prism creatively, and facilitate differentiation for diverse learning levels.

These activities make working on math problems more enjoyable for students and provide valuable tools for teachers to effectively deal with the challenges of teaching elementary mathematics.

Looking to add some fun color by number activities to your next lesson? I have created these 5th grade fraction operations color by number activities that you can use to skyrocket your class math learning outcome. Want some fraction word problem worksheets? Click HERE to check them out.

5th Grade Worksheets | Basic Operations | Math

Fun Division Riddles for Practicing Division Skills
BySadia
Division is hard for kids…PERIOD!

But it doesn’t have to be if its practiced with something fun like riddles.

Honestly, when I first started out teaching… division always felt like a confusing jumble of numbers because didn’t have their facts memorized.

No matter how much you try to make your kids practice division problems unless they have a solid grasp of math facts they won’t be able to work on those complex problems.

It’s like not knowing how to drive but trying to drive anyway.

If that’s the case, then what we should be focusing on is helping them get their basic math facts straight.

By fifth grade, students should be proficient in basic math facts but if that’s not the case, there’s a problem.

To be honest, there can be many reasons for this problem.

Reasons like
- a lack of understanding,
- memorization feeling like a draining task,
- table overload,
- multiplication confusion,
and more can all contribute to elementary kids not having a good grip on facts.

Are you interested in knowing how I make division practice fun and engaging for my kiddos?

Without making it seem like they are practicing… It’s by using riddles!

Riddles are a perfect teaching tool to help students develop division and problem-solving skills during back-to-school time or throughout the whole year.

Why Division Practice Is Important

Practicing division problems is crucial for a kid’s basic math learning and understanding.

It’s like a foundational math skill that helps kids make sense of math.

When children practice division, they learn how to break things into equal parts and understand the relationship between multiplication and division.

This reinforces their number sense, basically how they see and work with numbers in daily life.

It also helps them solve real-world problems.

Let’s say, they’re cutting a pizza into slices or figuring out how many cookies each friend gets, knowing how to divide makes it easier for them.

The most important thing is, it opens doors for advanced topics like fractions, ratios, and algebra later on grades.

Ina nutshell, division helps kids:
- Increase their problem-solving abilities
- Build confidence in handling day to day calculations
- Improve their understanding of the world around them
Now that you know how important it is for our kids to practice division problems. Let’s talk solutions.

The best way I am able to get my students working on division practice is by using division riddles.

They keep kids focused on the task at hand and builds perseverance.

How Division Riddles Works:

You hand out one of the division riddles to your kids.

It could be a division fact or 2 by 1, 2 by 2 digit or 3 by 1 or 3 by 2 digit, whatever numbers you want your students to practice that day.

Students start working on the problems and with every problem they unlock a key (letter) that is part of the mystery riddle they are solving.

The clues are unlocked randomly to make it more interesting and exciting for the kids.

Once they have solved all the problems the answer to the mystery is revealed.

This gamified way of practicing division makes it less intimidating for the students and helps them gain confidence in their math skills.

Few ways to use Division Riddles inside classroom:

We all love activities that are versatile and can be used in multiple ways inside our classroom.

Here are a few ways you can use a Riddle activity
- Partner work
- Home work
- Centers or rotation
- Review or practice work
- Or anytime you want to have something FUN
By the way if you are looking for 2 and 3 digit by 1 digit long division practice worksheets for your upper elementary students?

Check out the division riddles resource on my TPT shop and let your kids have fun while learning at the same time.

Looking for more tips on 5th grade math teaching checkout this Blog post on 5th grade year round math activities.
$Halloween GCF and LCM Math Activities for 5th and 6th Grade Math$
Halloween Math Activities | Math

How to Teach GCF and LCM With NO Stress This Halloween
BySadia
Halloween week in the classroom is chaos. Between sugar highs, costume distractions, and a packed schedule, the last thing you need is a complicated GCF and LCM practice lesson.

But October is also a great time to hit those tough concepts like Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM) practice especially, if you’ve got the right tools.

That’s why I created these three hands-on, no-prep Halloween-themed math activities that actually get your students excited about GCF and LCM.

These aren’t just worksheets, they’re interactive, self-checking, and fun.

In this post, I’m breaking down how each activity works and how you can use them in your classroom this October.

GCF and LCM Practice Halloween Coloring

Kids in my class LOVE coloring period. The truth is, we need to use more coloring math practice in the age of AI than ever before.

The reason is that kids these days aren’t as calm as they used to be. Coloring helps them calm down due to their hyperactive abilities.

This Halloween color-by-number activity blends math + art to keep kids engaged while practicing core skills.

Students solve GCF and LCM problems, find the matching color, and use it to complete a spooky themed image that you can display on bulletin board.

Why it works:
- Self-checking format helps students correct their own work
- Visual + hands-on = more focused engagement
- Works great for early finishers, math centers, or calming down a hyped-up classroom
The best part? It’s Print and go! No prep needed.

It’s perfect for days when you want meaningful review without managing chaos.

To try this out in your class, you can check out this Halloween GCF and LCM activity pack here.

Want to get access to free Order of Operations activity you can use with 5th and 6th grade students? Check it out here:

GCF and LCM Puzzle Cut, Solve, and Reveal

Puzzles help kids with their critical thinking and problem solving skills.

This Halloween math puzzle is like magic, your students won’t even realize how much math they’re doing.

Here is how to implement this 2-pager activity. Problems are on one page and corresponding answer puzzles are on the other.

Students solve each GCF or LCM question, find the puzzle piece with the correct answer, and paste it into the correct space to reveal a mystery Halloween image.

Skills it reinforces:
- GCF and LCM mastery
- Critical thinking
- Fine motor skills and focus
It’s engaging, it’s visual, and it’s low-prep. Just print both pages, and your students handle the rest.

To try this out in your class, you can check out this Halloween GCF and LCM activity pack here.

Halloween Greatest Common Factor Riddle

Riddles are like catnip for kids. In this Halloween themed riddle activity, students solve GCF and LCM problems and write their answers on the connected given space.

At the end, they collect letters that solve a spooky riddle.

Here is why it’s a win in my classroom:
- Instant buy-in from students
- Encourages problem-solving and logic
- Great for math stations, partner work, or even test prep review
You can even use it during rotations, independent practice, or as an enrichment activity during Halloween week.

To try this out in your class, you can check out this Halloween GCF and LCM activity pack here.

Pro Tip:

Want to survive Halloween week without losing your mind?

Print all three activities and set them up as stations.

Your students rotate through the color-by-number, puzzle, and riddle and they stay engaged the entire time.

They think it’s fun.
You know it’s standards-based review.
Everyone wins.

Want to try all 3 Activities?

I bundled all three Halloween GCF & LCM activities together in one low-prep printable pack perfect for 5th and 6th grade math teachers who need a break from boring stuff.

You don’t need to skip meaningful math instruction just because it’s Halloween week.

With the right activities, your students can have fun while practicing critical concepts and you can keep your sanity intact.

Whether you use them for centers, sub plans, or fast finishers, these Halloween-themed GCF and LCM worksheets are ready to go when you are.

Pin it now. Print it later. Teach it without the stress.

To try this out in your class, you can check out this Halloween GCF and LCM activity pack here.

Want more ideas to teach in your next 5th or 6th grade math class? Check them here
Fall Math Activities | Interactive Games | Math

Boost Math Engagement with Fun Fall Themed Interactive Games
BySadia
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. 🍂✨

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.

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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Basic Operations | Classroom Management | Math | Teaching Tips

5 Unique but Epic Ways To Use Color By Number Worksheets For High Student Engagement This Year
BySadia

Using color by number activities in one of my favourite ways to bring excitment and fun inside classroom. I cannot tell you how much my kids look forward to using these for any topic or theme day.

Seriously its one of the best way in my opinion to keep them on the task while still interested in practicing math during math centers.

Try using the if your kids are hitting a math practicing roadblock. We even display the art result they produced in our classroom or gallery. Students feel super prod when I do that.

So today let’s discover five easy ways you can implement math color by number worksheets so you can have an engaged class that’s excited to work on them.

What is a Color by Number Worksheets:

Color by number worksheets aren’t just art and math combined today, instead they are a sure way to give your kids a more engaging and educational experience that they might miss out on during a traditional learning environment.

This way of practicing math provides a structured way to kid’s daily math practice. Today, I’m about to sow you how I use them to add engagement for any topic you want to teach be it fraction operation including word problems or order of operation along with decimal operations.

Why to use Color by number worksheets for developing understanding:

Using art in our daily learning is a fantastic way to increase our kid’s educational experience. Think of it this way: your kids solving math problems and revealing a historical place, figure, or even a themed art piece to set the mood for some festive spirit.

Coloring is also a calming activity that reduces stress and keeps them focused on the task while developing fine motor skills. This is one of the reason why I use color-by-number worksheets as a terrific way to keep them on track with their daily math progress while having fun.

Customizable Math Teaching Tool:

Every child is different, and no 2 kids can learn the same way. Customizing color by number worksheets to fit their needs and learning styles can drastically boost student’s engagement.

For visual learners or students who cannot focus on a single task, these worksheets can be a handy tool for any math teacher.

Creative Reward and Recognition:

You can use the completed math coloring worksheets as a positive reinforcement activity for your students.

Here is how I achieve this. I display the finished color by number worksheets inside our classroom or hallway, which encourages students to perform better and acts as a reward for their hard work.

Develops Emotional Intelligence:

This type of activity not only gets student’s creative juices to follow but also keeps them calm and organized. This enhances their emotional intelligence and stamina to endure more demanding challenges in the learning process, which we as a teacher always strive for.

Independent and Self-Checking Practice:

If I had to pick one reason among all the above, this one would always surpass the rest. The most important thing any teacher wants is to cut down the time used for grading so we can actually do more of what we Love, aka “TEACHING“.

Color by number worksheets are a fantastic way to facilitate independent practice of topics like area of complex figures, order of operations during the math center activities or the morning bell work, or you can even leave them for a sub day and still get the teaching stuff done while you are away.

Want to include some color-by-number activities in your class?

Here are a few free ones for you to use.

Get access to Free addition and subtraction color-by-number worksheets and Multiplication Color by number worksheets

If you would like to see more color by code activities, just click on the cover below.

$Math color by number worksheets and activites for elementary students, decimals and fractions color by number worksheets$
Basic Operations | Halloween Math Activities | Interactive Games | Math

Fun and Engaging Digital Halloween Math Activities for 3rd 4th and 5th Grade
BySadia

Looking for some Fun and engaging Halloween math activities to keep your kids busy? Try out these “PICK A WITCH” Digital Game activities with your class and see their excitement skyrocket.

This resource is an interactive digital game which you can use to review or assess your kids place value understanding during their centers time or as a whole class activity.

Here is how the Game Works:

“PICK A WITCH” Game activity is designed to help your kids practice and review the place value of larger numbers like 6 digits in a fun and engaging way.

The resource is a compressed file that unzips to a PowerPoint Activity. The Game activity has 12 question slides and 1 main i.e. “PICK A WITCH” slide.

Display the main slide on the projector and divide your kids into 2 teams. Now tell them to pick a number. The number that they pick you have to click on it to display the question. Once the kids see the question he or she has to answer the question.

You can also award 5 score points to every right answer. Once all the questions have been answered by kids. You can add all their scores and announce which team has won.

All the numbers from 1 to 12 on the first slide are clickable and linked to that specific question number slide. There is a Home button on every question slide to access the main Questions slide which makes it an interactive and super fun game that kids enjoy.

The 12 questions allow you to complete the activity in one go with your class. But it only uses 6 digit numbers. You can use it for fast finishers or as centers digital activity.

Oh and just in case if you are looking for a fun and engaging activity to to teach decimals this week, check out Free adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade.

Want more join in for some Insider Fun!
Basic Operations | Classroom Management | Holiday Activities | Math | Saint Patricks Day

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

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.

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?

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