$Back to School Math Addition and Subtraction of Multi-digit Numbers Activities for Upper Elementary Math Classes$

The Only Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction Practice I’ll Use This Year

BySadia

Raise your hand if you’ve ever printed a math worksheet, handed it out and watched your entire class immediately ZONE OUT.

Same. Dry, black and white worksheets suck the energy right out of math time for your students and for you.

They’re boring. They don’t work. And worst of all? They make these core basic operations reviews feel like a chore.

But here’s the thing, addition and subtraction practice doesn’t have to be dull.

When you mix in color by number printables or activities with riddles to review, your kids are engaged, your classroom is calm, and your math centers become something everyone actually looks forward to.

I’m breaking down the multi-digit addition and subtraction practice worksheets I’ll use this year, because they work and they save my sanity.

Strategy 1: Use Multi-digit Addition and Subtraction Escape Room to Make Practice Fun

What would life be like if you didn’t have to convince kids that the more they practice, the better it is for them?

What better way to practice than to disguise it as a riddle and increase their curiosity along with math skills? These are just a few of the reasons why math riddles are magic, I use during review time.

The only 2 and 3 digit Addition and Subtraction Practice Activity Needed in your elementary math class | Multidigit Addition and Subtraction Escape Room printable worksheets activity for 3rd 4th and 5th grade

My students get self motivated to solve them, and that’s not just to get the math right but to solve the riddle. That little “aha” moment at the end makes the work feel like a game to them, not a worksheet.

The best part? Riddle worksheets are also self-checking. If the answer doesn’t make sense? It means it’s time to double-check their math without you having to hover or correct them. The reason why it’s a total win for me.

Escape Room-style riddles are also perfect for independent work, partner pairs, or small groups.

You’ll love the classroom management piece (hello, quiet engagement), and your students will love cracking the code.

Still not sure? Try what I use and see your kids filled with excitement: Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction with Regrouping Escape Room.

Want to try a free activity? Grab my FREE addition and subtraction printable pack from my TPT store here. It’s ready to print and go.

Strategy 2: Color by Number for Fluency & Focus

You know those kids who can’t sit still for more than five minutes? Yeah, even they get into color by number math. The visuals pull them in, and the structure keeps them focused. It’s like sneaking in math fluency practice… with crayons.

To be honest color by number is a game-changer for independent work, early finishers, math centers, basically anytime you need your students to be engaged without needing your constant attention.

And unlike flashcards, these worksheets build fact fluency in a low-stress, low-prep way that students actually enjoy.

My go-to resources that I pull again and again are: Add/Subtract/Multiply/Divide Color by Number Worksheets

My students actually ask for these during math review. Yep. It’s that fun.

Strategy 3: Mix Seasonal + Skill-Based Review

Want to keep review fresh without re-inventing the wheel every week?

Seasonal printables are your best bet. You’re still hitting the same addition and subtraction skills, just dressed up for fall, Halloween, winter, or whatever season you’re in.

Students stay engaged because it feels new even though the practice is familiar. Teachers win because it’s low-prep and high-impact.

It’s perfect for early finishers, homework, and sub plans basically anytime you need a minute to breathe.

Teachers like you find these a fun addition to their toolkit: any seasonal or holiday themed addition and subtraction practice.

What would life be like if you didn’t have to reinvent the wheels?

If you want your students engaged, confident, and actually enjoying math this year, start with tools that make them smile and think. Riddles, color by number, seasonal printables, they’re more than just fun. They’re effective.

You don’t need to reinvent math review. You just need the right tools in your teacher box.

Still want to learn more?

Check out this back to school math activities that set the tone for your whole year.

Basic Operations | Math

3 Digit Addition Problems Worksheets For Practicing Addition
BySadia
Looking for a 3 digit addition problem worksheets to practice 3 digit addition or subtraction with your students? Look no more because I got you covered.

Helping students work on word problems is a daunting task.

Especially if you are trying to encourage them to think independently on math problems and solve them on their own.

That is why I have created these fun and engaging 3 digit word problem worksheets that are free for you to grab and teach now.

[Click here to download.]

3 Digit Addition & Subtraction Word Problems

Here is how it works.

Signup for the freebies and download the file.

Inside this freebie, you have 3 digit word problems on addition and subtraction. Besides word problems, it also contains no prep 3-digit mixed addition and subtraction problem worksheets.

Print the problems you want your students to work on and hand them to your class. Students can solve the word problems independently, or you can help them complete the task.

What I like to do in my class is put them in pairs. This way, even if one of the kids gets stuck, they can help each other out and figure out the solution.

Here are a few benefits of using 3-digit word problems worksheets in your classroom
- Increase in reasoning and problem solving skills
- More understanding of the topic by using comprehension skills
- Able to break down more significant concepts into small problems
3 Digit Addition & Subtraction Worksheets

Tips to make 3 digit addition problems fun and effective in your classroom

Here are a few ideas you can implement to make word problems an effective and fun activities in your classroom
- Solve at least one word problem daily to develop the muscle
- Make it fun
- Provide feedback
- Easier to introduce differentiation
If you are looking for ways to make 3 digit word problems more fun, here is your opportunity to try these FREE 3 digit word problems in your classroom.

Hopefully, this will give you enough to practice 3 digit addition using worksheets to keep your kids engaged and excited.

Do you have any activities that you use in your classroom for addition word problems?
Basic Operations | Math

3 Digit Subtraction and Addition Worksheets for Daily Math
BySadia

During my elementary math classroom, I like having games and activities that are not prep.

Why? Well, because it is easier for teachers to set them up and grade, and on top of that, kids ALWAYS love it when I teach subtraction and addition using board game worksheets.

In this blog post, I’m going to share 3 of the best resources you can use in your classroom to teach 3 digit subtraction and addition using worksheets.

First of all, teaching 3 digit subtraction and addition with and without regrouping isn’t just necessary at the start of the year. In fact, it’s better to set up the material as a year-long series resource that you just pull up and instantly use to teach.

Honestly, it can be hard to make something that you can use all year long. At least, it was always hard for me to decide what to use for practicing this basic addition and subtraction skill.

To overcome this problem, I created several 3 digit subtraction and addition worksheets that I keep with me whenever I need them during class.

Here are a few of them that you can use to make your life easier.

1. 3 Digit Subtraction and Addition Worksheets

As the name suggests, addition and subtraction with regrouping worksheets are best used when we are introducing these concepts to kids.

What you want at this stage is to allow your students to practice the skills they have learned without any distractions.

Once they have practiced enough, you can then use advanced pedagogical activities to reinforce their practice, like printable math board games, digital activities, or even coloring math worksheets.

This excites the students to work on their basics and get their practice done correctly.

Looking for some premade worksheet suggestions?

Check these 3 digit subtraction and addition worksheets

2. Addition and Subtraction Riddles Activity Worksheets

Honestly, who does not love to solve riddles? In my classroom, I always find my kids excited to practice math when done with riddles worksheets.

This activity is the single most used activity throughout my addition and subtraction practice class. Riddles not only keep them engaged in working on math but also keep them excited to know what the answer to the secret question is.

So if you want to make your kids practice 3 digit addition and subtraction, use riddle activities to keep them excited about working on their daily practice.

Another option would be to use it as a center activity or homework to reinforce what they have learned.

Want to check out how I use Riddles for multi digit addition and subtraction, click here.

3. Solve The Room 3 Digit Addition and Subtraction Activity

Let’s face it math is a tough subject for some kids.

And whether you are new to teaching or you have been teaching for quite some time.

It can get frustrating to keep your kids engaged and excited to try new concepts. It can feel boring to go through the same activities day in and day out. But the good news is that it does not have to be!

If you want to make this tedious task more fun and engaging for your kids, WHY not incorporate the Solve the Room activity in your weekly math activities list?

Solve the Room is a simple yet effective way to help your kids get up and moving while solving math inside the class.

It is not only fun and highly active, but can also be used to assess your student’s individual understanding of the concepts.

Here is how it works:

You place the question task cards at different stations inside your classroom. Give each of your students a recording sheet that they can use to solve and write their answers.

Students hop from one station to the other, solving the problems. If they get stuck, they can come to me for some help.

You can use Solve the Room activities for every 5th grade math topic. I use it for almost every 5th grade math topic, like Addition and Subtraction of Whole numbers, Fractions, and Decimals.

But just in case you do not want to make these activities yourself and want to save your valuable time, then I have one inside my TPT store for you to check out. Click here to check!

Want a free adding and subtracting decimals activity check this post!

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5th Grade Worksheets | Decimals | Math

Free Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF for 5th Grade
BySadia

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

Using fun activities makes your students master adding and subtracting decimals with ease. These engaging worksheets are designed to make decimal decimal operations fun and accessible.

In this blog, we are talking about helping you to build confidence and proficiency in your student’s abilities to add and subtract decimals using mystery puzzle activities.

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.

Adding and Subtracting Decimals Mystery Puzzle Activity

You want to review adding and subtracting decimals for your 5th grade math students, and your goal is to make them capable enough to be able to think independently of 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.

Free Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities 5th Grade Download

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.

Need help? I am just an email away.

Contact me at [email protected]

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$Integers and their Opposites Math Activities$
Math

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

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.”
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.

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.
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.

$Math color by number worksheets and activites for elementary students, decimals and fractions color by number worksheets$
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

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.