Math color by number worksheets and activites for elementary students, decimals and fractions color by number worksheets
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5 Unique but Epic Ways To Use Color By Number Worksheets For High Student Engagement This Year

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

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    5 best Saint Patrick’s Day math activities for kids to try this year!

    One of the most exciting things about March is that we can help students build a strong fraction operations foundation using themed math activities like St. Patrick’s Day.

    If you are working on one of vital foundational skills like fractions or math facts review this post is for you.

    In this post, I’m going to share some tips and lesson activities for you to help you learn how to teach fractions and decimal operations in 5th grade in a way that will stick with your students!

    So, get ready to sprinkle some leprechaun magic into your math classroom using these 5 best Saint Patrick’s Day math activities for upper elementary students!

    Why Teach 5th-grade Math Concepts Using March-Themed Lessons?

    Themed activities should not just be fun, but can also bring meaningful practice in classroom learning.

    They are the best way to reinforce key concepts when students need extra motivation. They can help you:

    • Builds skill fluency before spring testing season
    • Reinforces key skills through engaging review
    • Helps students apply concepts in meaningful contexts
    • Supports differentiated instruction easily
    • Encourages active participation and discussion
    • Makes practice feel less repetitive

    So, if this is something you want with your kids, try out one of these activities:

    Saint Patrick’s Day Fractions Operations Worksheets with Word Problems

    If you’re looking for a way to support your students with fraction addition and subtraction with unlike denominators without filling up your math centers with boring activities, I have the perfect solution!

    I have put together this packet of fraction review worksheets that you can use to review fraction operations that they have learnt this year.

    Saint Patrick Day Math Fractions Activities with unlike denominator for upper elementary students

    The pack not only includes fraction review worksheets, but also includes self-checking mazes and a word search you can use for the early finishers in your class.

    Do not need something to practice, but rather need something to test their knowledge?

    The packet also includes 2 pages of multiple-choice question-style worksheets you can use as an assessment to test their understanding.

    One thing I love about this packet is that it includes a whole lot of ways I can get them to practice fraction addition and subtraction.

    So, whether they’re asked to solve addition and subtraction of fractions, these worksheets will keep them engaged, challenged, and entertained throughout their math journey.

    But wait, there’s more! The pack is best equipped with so much more fun like word search and coloring fun.

    You can keep a set of these activities copied at your small group table and pull out the most appropriate one you need for each group to try. 

    Saint Patrick’s Day Math Coloring Worksheets

    These math coloring pages are also a great tool for increasing student independence at centers time or during morning work.

    If you are practicing math multiplication or division facts and need them to go beyond and try multidigit multiplication or division, you can do that by using these Saint Patricks activities during their centers.

    Adding Subtracting Multiplying and Dividing Whole Numbers Coloring Color by Number Activity with Multi-digit Practice

    These provide an easy but rigorous practice to help kids be more independent in their basic whole number operations.

    So, why settle for boring math practice when you can add a splash of Saint Patrick’s Day magic to your lessons?

    Let’s make basic operations like addition and subtraction or even division fun, engaging, and unforgettable with these worksheets!

    St Patrick’s Day Decimal Operations Activity

    Are your students struggling with adding and subtracting decimals? It might not feel like a difficult skill to you but for 5th graders it’s a lot.

    The one concept I have seen students get stuck on is the idea of understanding the decimal place values. They usually align their numbers wrong, which then gives a wrong answer.

    So this March, if you want to help kids master decimal operations. Let them practice it in a way that is both meaningful and movement-based.

    5th Grade Adding Subtracting Multiplying and Dividing Decimals Math Practice Scavenger Hunt and Solve the Room Activity

    Saint Patrick’s Day Decimals Solve the Room Activity

    Solve the Room activities are similar to scavenger hunts without the self checking part.

    Here is how it works:

    • Display the decimal problems inside classroom for kids to find
    • Students navigate the room and solve each problem
    • They engage in active learning, moving, and collaborating with their fellow
    • Record their answer on a recording sheet until all problems are done.
    Adding Subtracting Multiplying and Dividing Decimals Math Practice Scavenger Hunt 5th Grade Activity

    So, are you ready to turn your classroom into a math-filled treasure hunt this St. Patrick’s Day?

    Try these activities and make decimal operations an adventure to remember!

    Saint Patrick’s Day Secret Picture Puzzles

    For upper elementary students, repetition is key when it comes to learning multi digit multiplication and division.  They need plenty of practice with multiplication math fact fluency before they can master these skills. 

    In order to keep students engaged in multiplication and division, you need plenty of activities in our teacher toolboxes! 

    That’s why I wanted to share some hands-on March themed activities that your students will love!

    If you’re looking for a hands-on way to help students practice multiplication or division, check out this mystery picture activity!

    St Patrick's Day Math Picture Puzzles Activity for 4th 5th Grade kids Multiplication and division practice

    All you need to do for this low-prep activity is print off the worksheet and cut out the puzzle pieces! You can cut them out yourself, or let your students cut them.  

    These secret picture puzzles can be used in many different ways, which is helpful for differentiation and engagement. 

    You can use these printable activities for math centers, morning work, small group practice, or even for fast finishers! 

    No matter how you decide to use these activities, your students will benefit from the extra practice with multiplication and division!

    St. Patrick’s Day Themed 5th Grade Math Craft

    Lastly, there are math crafts that are not just fun but also include common core-aligned practice so your students move forward in their math progress.

    This fraction math craft activity is perfect for centers because it is self-correcting and rewarding! 

    Students solve 3 math problems and come back to you to collect their craft item.

    Best St Patricks Day Math Adding and Subtracting Fractions Unlike Denominator Craft 5th and 6th Grade

    After checking their answers, the teacher hands them a craft piece that they have earned and will use to build their lucky leprechaun friend.

    It’s like a perfect reward-based activity kids need during this time of the year.

    Want something fun and free to use in your class check this Free Saint Patty’s day activities!

    Want to be set for the whole year of upper elementary math centers without paying your whole teaching salary. Check out this Mega Math Centers bundle currently at 75% off!

    St Patrick's Fraction Color by Number Math coloring activity
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    Best Saint Patrick’s Day Free Math Activity to use NOW

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

    Solve the Room activities can be a very helpful resource for math practice and movement in you math classroom. 

    Upper elementary students greatly benefit from having a movement activity for basic math fact revision and practice what they have been learning.

    However, using old, boring math fact practice sheets can have a few drawbacks, which is why I’m sharing in this post.

    I think math teachers everywhere can agree that math fact fluency practice sheets can be very useful, especially when used as a pair activity.

    Students are more likely to recall multiplication facts they have learned when they have a timed reminder, such as 1 or 3 minutes. 

    But… the problem with these activities is that they are not super fun things you can try in your classroom, especially during seasons.

    This is the reason why, for me personally, this activity is something I use in my upper elementary math classroom whenever I feel like my kids need a break from their usual math learning and it’s time for some movement to keep students learning juice flowing.

    Multiplication Facts Math Practice Scavenger Hunt and Solve the Room Activity 0-9

    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 along with some more fun math activities you might like:

    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 the free solve the room activity inside your classroom? Click here and get the freebie activity.

  • | |

    Why Math Games Are Even More Essential Now in Today’s Classroom

    Kids in upper elementary classrooms are more inclined to learn math through games because math games provide the same environment as today’s gadgets and screens but with the goal of learning something new. 

    This is why, in today’s teaching, it is more important than ever to use game-based learning methods in our math classrooms. 

    In my 10+ years of teaching math to elementary students, I have never encountered a time in my classes when, whenever I pull up a game, my kids do not get excited.  

    It has always been the case for me, no matter what the type of game is! It can be digital as well as printable but what would never happen with board games or game shows is a dry class with no learning excitement for a hard subject like math. 

    Honestly, I feel that having printable games or digital game-based activities should be in every teacher’s toolkit. They are a compelling way for kids to connect and engage with your teaching content. Still not convinced? 

    Here’s a list of why math games are important and how to integrate them into your lesson planning. 

    1. Enhanced Engagement during Math Class

    This is what we all want? I mean, I do! And the best way to increase your class engagement is by using math games to make learning more interactive and exciting. 

    Gamification helps develop critical thinking skills, which are essential for children’s future success. Students are more likely to participate and stay focused when they play a game in pairs, compared to just working through a set of problems on a worksheet.

    So, make your kids work in pairs next time you want them to add some accountability to your math lessons. The added accountability helps them push each other and encourages a sense of responsibility.

    Looking for some fun games? Melissa, a fellow teacher, coach, and TpT author, has a blog post that can give you a comprehensive idea of the benefits of using math board games in classrooms.

    2. Improved Understanding with Math Games

    Understanding is the most important part of the learning process. It is the integral part that should be focused on during lesson planning.

    If your kids can understand the basics of any concept, like fraction operations or the order of operations, they will be able to think through them, understand them, and solve problems on their own, which should always be the goal. 

    This collaborative environment that is created as a result of their teamwork can help them feel more comfortable sharing their thought processes and strategies with their class fellows. 

    With games, we can present kids with the same math problems in various formats like multiple choice, true-false, or even open-ended, which then helps students to see concepts from different angles. 

    This is crucial as it deepens their understanding and helps them apply math skills in various real world situations. 

    During my lessons I try to give kids as many practice problems as possible, but after we have 

    ended a lesson I prefer other formats like multiple choice or true false using interactive activities or riddles to check their understanding and see where the gaps are!

    3. Immediate Feedback

    Of course, getting feedback is important! But what’s more important is making it fun not just for kids but for you too. I try to incorporate self checking games during lessons because of the immediate feedbackkk! 

    We all want our kids to rise and shine but none of us want to go through the painful time taking act of grading and checking the assessments and creating the report cards. 

    That’s why math games can actually be a handy tool. It provides us with a way to keep ourselves on top of all the stuff other than teaching by utilizing the power of active learning, allowing students to practice and reinforce their skills in an interactive way. 

    It allows students to quickly see the results of their actions and understand what they need to improve. This immediate reinforcement can increase their confidence and motivate them to learn more.

    4. Fun and Motivation

    Let’s be honest: It is a chore to make math enjoyable and personalize activities for every kid. However, I believe learning is not only enjoyable with games; students are more than ready to engage with the material. Math games can turn a challenging subject into a fun and rewarding experience, which enhances a positive attitude towards math.

    How to Integrate Math Games in Your Classroom

    Use games that align with holiday themes or seasons, such as “Fall Place Value and Multiplication Division Games”. This can make learning festive and relevant to the time of year.

    Digital games can be easily integrated into your lesson plans and are great for individual or small group work. One way is to customize games for different skill levels, making sure that all students, regardless of their abilities, are challenged appropriately and can progress at their own pace.

    You can create different stations with various math games, like “Digital Fraction and Decimals Pixel Art Bundle.” Just assign students one of the activities and keep them engaged by exposing them to different types of problems.

    Another way is to organize math game tournaments or challenges inside the classroom to add an element of friendly competition. However, this can even create a challenge of managing competitiveness among students. For this, make sure to emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration more. This can motivate students to practice more and improve their math skills.

    Lastly, have students discuss what they learned and reflect on their strategies after playing. This will help solidify their understanding and encourage them to think critically about problem-solving techniques.

    Math games are a fun and effective way to review important math concepts like decimal operations inside classrooms. Incorporating math games into your classroom can transform the way your students learn and engage with math. Making lessons interactive, engaging, and fun will help your students develop a deeper understanding and a love for the subject.

    Looking for other cool ways to make math worksheets more fun for your kids? Check out this blog post on 11 cool ways to make boring worksheets more exciting!

  • How to Use a Teacher Planner PDF to Streamline Your School Routine Now

    We all know how teachers are juggling lesson plans, grading tests, meetings, and trying to manage personal time can be exhausting. That is why a teacher planner pdf should be a necessary tool in every teacher’s toolbox. 

    Honestly, a well-organized planner can be your best friend in creating a streamlined and well organized daily school routine.

    In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can effectively use a teacher planner to bring order to your busy school days.

    Why a Teacher Planner?

    That’s a very interesting question, but before we address the “how,” let’s first discuss the “why.” 

    A teacher planner isn’t just a notebook; it’s a comprehensive tool designed to help you manage your time, tasks, and priorities. 

    Not only this it also offers a common place to keep track of your lesson plans, schedules, student progress, and administrative tasks so you can have everything in one place.

    Think of it as a hub for all your day to day activities.

    This drastically reduces the stress about missing deadlines and increases productivity.

    The result: you get to have more time doing what you LOVE, aka actual “Teaching” not just paper work or admin tasks.

    Step 1: Set Up Your Teacher Planner PDF

    Choose the Right Planner: First, select a planner that fits your needs. Look for one that includes sections for daily and weekly planning, monthly overviews, and room for notes.

    Ensure it has enough space to write detailed plans and record important dates.

    Personalize It: Add tabs for quick access to different sections.

    Use color-coded stickers or highlighters to differentiate between various tasks and priorities. Personalizing your planner makes it more enjoyable to use and easier to navigate.

    Step 2: Map Out Your School Year

    Annual Overview: Start by filling out the annual overview section. Mark important dates such as holidays, professional development days, parent-teacher conferences, and end-of-term deadlines.

    This gives you a big-picture view of the school year and helps you plan ahead.

    Monthly Breakdown: For each month, break down the key events and deadlines into manageable chunks. This might include units of study, major projects, and assessment periods. Having a monthly plan helps you stay on track and makes sure you don’t miss important events.

    Step 3: Weekly Planning

    Weekly Layout: At the beginning of each week make sure to spend a few minutes planning your schedule. Outline your goals for the week, both professional and personal. Plan specific times when you will be doing lesson planning, grading student work, and completing admin tasks.

    teacher planner pdf 2024 2025

    Prioritize Tasks: List your tasks in order of priority. Focus on the most important tasks first, such as lesson planning and student assessments.

    If in doubt and not able to decide what to focus on, use the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent vs. important) to help prioritize your tasks more effectively.

    Flexible Scheduling: While planning is essential, flexibility is key. Teachers always remember to leave some free time in your schedule for unexpected events or tasks that arise from time to time and need to be done asap.

    This will help you adapt to changes without feeling overwhelmed in the long run.

    Step 4: Daily Routine with Teacher Planner PDF

    Morning Routine: Start each day by reviewing your planner. Check the day’s schedule and tasks, and make any necessary adjustments. A quick morning review helps set the tone for a productive day.

    Lesson Planning: Use the daily sections of your planner to jot down detailed lesson plans. Include objectives, materials needed, and key points to cover. This keeps your lessons organized and ensures you’re prepared for each class.

    Task Management: Throughout the day, refer to your teacher planner to stay on track with tasks. Tick off completed tasks and make notes of any new ones that arise. This not only keeps you organized but also gives a sense of accomplishment.

    teacher planner pdf 2024 2025

    Step 5: Reflect and Adjust

    End-of-Day Review: At the end of each day, spend a few minutes reviewing what you completed that day. Note any tasks that need to be carried over to the next day. This reflection helps you understand your productivity patterns and make necessary adjustments.

    Weekly Reflection: At the end of the week, review your planner to see what worked well and what didn’t. Use this insight to improve your planning for the following week. Reflecting on your successes and challenges helps you grow and adapt as a teacher.

    Tips for Effective Use Teacher Planner PDF

    Consistency is Key: Make using your planner a daily habit. Consistent use is crucial for reaping the benefits of an organized routine.

    Stay Flexible: While a teacher planner pdf helps you stay organized, life can be unpredictable. Be flexible and willing to adjust your plans as needed.

    Make It Enjoyable: Add a personal touch to your planner. Use colorful pens, stickers, and motivational quotes to make it a tool you enjoy using every day.

    Leverage Technology: Combine your paper planner with digital tools. Sync your teacher planner pdf with your online calendar and set reminders for important tasks and deadlines.

    Overall I would say a teacher planner is more than just a scheduling tool. It’s a powerful resource that can transform your daily routine.

    By planning your year thoughtfully and mapping out your whole school year like planning weekly, managing daily tasks, and reflecting regularly, you can streamline your workflow and increase your teaching effectiveness.

    But make sure to use it as a guide and not a strict rulebook. The key is consistency and flexibility. Happy planning!

    Need some free math fraction activities to try in your classroom, Checkout this post!

  • |

    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

    Want to access free math resources worth $29. Click here to learn more!

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

    Join in to get special FREEBIES and Insider’s FUN!

  • | | |

    Fraction Operations: 3 Creative Ways to Make Kids Master Fractions

    Fractions operations are hard concepts to learn for many kids. Most of my 5th grade students struggle to understand even the basis of what a fraction or a number in a/b form actually means.

    This idea is not just a problem for upper elementary students but for middle school kids too. Just ask your middle school students to cut a circle in 6 parts and see the results they produce.

    It might look something like this:

    fraction operation | adding and subtracting fractions

    Now the problem is not that these kids do not know how to add subtract multiply or divide fractions. Because all these fraction operations can be understood and practice by simply repeating the exact same steps they need to perform to get the answer.

    Instead the problem is their ability to apply and analyze conceptual parts of fractions, so instead of focusing on the simplification side of the concept what you actually need to focus more on is the conceptual side of the topic that is its application and making kids able to analyze and evaluate their learning.

    To understand it better lets discuss why our students struggle to grasp this important concept and how we can help them.

    Why students struggle with fraction operations

    Many students struggle with the conceptual understanding and just learn to find answers using “tricks” like keep, change, flip for fraction division. These kids are the ones that when asked to solve a real life problem like this one:

    Sara has 3/4 of a cake remaining , and she wants to share it equally among herself and her two friends. What fraction of the cake will each person get?

    Question

    are not able to make sense of it. The mere learning of short tricks can not help them master this crucial skill. What we as a teacher need to do is create a smooth and seamless integration of all the previous concepts learned with the new ideas to make it easier for kids to connect the dots.

    Students need to build upon their prior knowledge of whole numbers and their operations and get comfortable with understand what the “a and “b” in a/b form actually tells them about the problem at hand.

    Which means they not only need to know how much of something is being added (which is the numerator part of fraction) but also what is being added that is the denominator part of the fraction.

    Making them understand fractions from bottom up is the key. What does the denominator and the numerators actually tells.

    For example let’s say kids have to add 2/5 + 1/5:

    Here, the ‘2’ and ‘1’ (numerators) tell us ‘how much‘ of something we have, like two pieces of pizza. The ‘5’ (denominator) tells us into ‘how many parts‘ something is divided, like cutting a pizza into 5 slices. So, when adding 2/5 and 1/5, we’re combining parts of the same whole (like adding two slices to one slice of the same pizza, making it 3/5 of the pizza).

    Understanding both parts of a fraction helps kids grasp what they’re working with, making fractions less intimidating. Once kids know the basis they will be able to solve more complex problems on their own.

    fraction operation | adding and subtracting fractions

    Activities to make their learning addition and subtraction of fraction operations easier

    Not all kids learn the same way. Some are visual learners , some like to explore and ask questions to better understand the concept and as a teacher our job is to understand what our kids understanding is of the topic is how to get hem to become better at it. The best worksheets on addition and subtraction of fractions are the ones with real world problems or activities. Let’s learn more about this:

    1. Visual Learning Through Baking and Cooking

    Who does not like the smell of cookies baking in the oven. It turns your kitchen into a fun place to learn. Did you know that making food is a great way to understand fractions? Whether you’re measuring sugar or cutting a pizza, cooking is a yummy way to learn about parts of a whole.

    Activity to Try: Start by making a simple recipe with your child, like cookies or pizza? This gives you an opportunity and fun time to talk about how fractions are used in cooking. For example, you can ask how much is half a cup of sugar? Or how do you cut a pizza so everyone gets an equal slice? In the end, you get to enjoy a tasty snack together!

    What You’ll Learn: Cooking and baking make fractions easy to understand. It’s one thing to see numbers on paper. It’s another to see fractions come to life when you’re cooking. Seeing and touching the parts that make up a whole makes fractions clear and meaningful.

    I think cooking is not just about making food. It’s a chance to see math in action. Next time you’re in the kitchen with your kids, think of it as a chance to explore fractions. It makes learning math not just useful but also delicious. So, grab an apron, and let’s make learning fractions as easy as pie!

    2. Interactive Games and Activities

    In this modern world where technology touches almost every part of our lives, learning has changed a lot after covid. For those of us who learn best by seeing and doing, the increase in online learning platform has opened doors to new possibilities. This is especially true when it comes to understanding fractions—a topic that many find tricky.

    Digital Fraction addition and subtraction activity along with PDF worksheets: There are tons of digital activities out there designed to help with fractions. When choosing an activity, look for ones that are fun for your students and how they learn, give you feedback on how you’re doing, and let you keep track of your progress.

    A great starter can be Addition and Subtraction of fractions with unlike denominator Color by number worksheets. These aren’t your typical math activities. Instead, they turn learning fractions into an interactive fun activity, making it something your kids will enjoy a lot.

    3. Storytelling and Fraction Tales

    Using storytelling to teach kids fraction and give them a taste of how math is applied in real world is what we all should be doing in our classrooms. You can introduced a story like “The tale of a bee lost in the forest” where Queen bee goes out in the wild and is lost and its the job of the kids to bring her back to her hive and the worker bees.

    But their is a twist, your kids need to solve adding and subtraction fractions with unlike denominator problems to bring her back to her hive. This keep them engaged into meaningful learning.

    Using storytelling like the above to teach kids addition subtraction multiplication and division of fractions and mixed numbers learning more memorable and meaningful. Children are able to connect with the idea on a deeper level that makes learning more enjoyable and fun

    Additional Fun Resources

    Looking for some ideas to review fraction operations with 5th grade students

    Looking for some free adding and subtracting fractions practice coloring worksheets, Try the one below by signing up.