Sheila Cantonwine

Holidays

Infuse Magic & Merriment in Your Classroom with Christmas Bingo

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Are you looking for a lively, engaging way to bring some holiday cheer into your classroom this December? Look no further than this Christmas Bingo game, designed to create joyful memories and bring everyone together! With 36 unique Bingo cards included, this resource offers versatility and convenience, perfect for a classroom full of excited students. It’s a great way to Infuse Magic and Merriment in Your Classroom with Christmas Bingo.

Why Choose Christmas Bingo?

Bingo games are a classroom favorite, and it’s easy to see why—they’re simple, interactive, and give students a sense of friendly competition. This Christmas Bingo set is crafted to be not only enjoyable but also adaptable to any classroom setup. Available in both color and black-and-white versions, you can print them in the format that best suits your needs. Use the color version for a festive look, or save on ink with the black-and-white cards while letting students add their own flair by coloring them in!

What’s Inside the Christmas Bingo Resource?

Here’s what makes this Bingo set extra special:

  1. 36 Unique Cards: With 36 different Bingo cards, you can play with large groups of students without duplicating cards.
  2. Color and Black-and-White Options: Choose the format that works best for you! The color version pops with holiday spirit, while the black-and-white version provides a more economical option.
  3. Easy-to-Read Calling Cards: Each item has its own calling card, ensuring smooth gameplay that keeps students engaged.
  4. Perfect for All Ages: Christmas Bingo is a hit across all elementary grade levels, making it a flexible choice for various ages.

Easy Setup and Minimal Prep When You Infuse Magic & Merriment in Your Classroom with Christmas Bingo

Simply print, cut, and play! The straightforward setup allows you to focus on what really matters—enjoying a festive classroom atmosphere. Whether you use it for a whole-class activity, small groups, or even as a fun reward, Christmas Bingo will fit seamlessly into your holiday plans.

Ways to Use Christmas Bingo in the Classroom

  • Classroom Holiday Party: Let Bingo take center stage at your classroom holiday party! Students will love the friendly competition as they fill in their cards.
  • Brain Break Activity: Holiday energy can make it hard for students to focus. A quick Bingo game offers a perfect brain break, helping them reset and recharge.
  • Rewards and Incentives: Use Bingo as a holiday-themed reward that students can earn for good behavior or completing assignments.

Fun, Flexible, and Festive!

This Christmas Bingo game brings simplicity, enjoyment, and a dash of holiday magic to your classroom. Not only does it support your classroom community, but it also gives students a chance to laugh and enjoy the holiday season together. So, grab your set today and bring the spirit of Christmas right to your students’ desks!

I hope you enjoy this holiday season as you Infuse Magic & Merriment in Your Classroom with Christmas Bingo.

Looking for some student prizes? Check out this blog post on 3 Easy Holiday Gifts for Your Students.

A Christmas Multi-Digit Multiplication Bundle They’ll Love!

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Bring Holiday Magic to Your Math Classroom

Are you looking to bring festive cheer to your math lessons this holiday season? Maybe you need some fun and engaging resources to keep your students engaged. This Christmas Multiplication Worksheet Bundle is designed to keep your upper elementary students engaged, even in the days leading up to winter break! Your students will love the holiday-themed word problems, and you’ll love that it’s no prep. Just print and go! Celebrate the magic of the holiday season this year with A Christmas Multi-Digit Multiplication Bundle They’ll Love!

What’s Inside A Christmas Multi-Digit Multiplication Bundle They’ll Love!?

In this bundle, you’ll find a variety of worksheets with a fun Christmas twist on multiplication practice. In fact, each worksheet is thoughtfully differentiated to support diverse learning needs. For example, the worksheets include Christmas-themed word problems, making it a perfect blend of fun and rigor.

Make this a holiday to remember in your classroom with A Christmas Multi-Digit Multiplication Bundle They’ll Love!

Here’s a Breakdown of What’s Included:

  1. Differentiated Multiplication Worksheets
    • Each worksheet is crafted to support a range of skill levels, from students just starting out with multiplication to those needing an extra challenge. Ultimately, this makes it ideal for 4th and 5th graders as they solidify their two-digit and three-digit multiplication skills!
  2. Festive Word Problems
    • These Christmas-themed word problems encourage students to apply their multiplication skills in real-life scenarios. Along the way, they’ll also practice reading comprehension, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Subsequently, with these worksheets, your students will engage with math in meaningful ways.
  3. Answer Keys for Easy Grading
    • Each worksheet includes a complete answer key, simplifying the grading process. I understand how valuable your time is—especially during the holiday season—so I’ve got you covered.

Benefits of Using Christmas-Themed Math Activities with A Christmas Multi-Digit Multiplication Bundle They’ll Love

IIntegrating seasonal themes into your math lessons is an excellent way to boost engagement. By connecting math practice to the excitement of Christmas, you create an environment where students are more enthusiastic about learning.

These worksheets are great for:

  • Independent practice during class
  • Homework assignments over the holiday season
  • Small group work for collaborative learning
  • Extra practice for early finishers or students needing additional support

A Perfect Way to Review Multi-Digit Multiplication!

This bundle keeps learning fresh with word problems and traditional multi-digit multiplication practice. Plus, it helps upper elementary students review the critical skills they need to master. Whether your students are finishing up multiplication or need a refresher, this bundle perfectly suits the holiday season and the months of November and December.

Why Teachers Love It 🎉

This Christmas Multiplication Worksheet Bundle is designed to make your life easier. Many teachers have shared how much they love bringing in seasonal activities that add excitement without sacrificing rigor. For example, here’s what one teacher had to say:

“My students were so engaged with these Christmas multiplication worksheets. I could see their skills improving while having a bit of holiday fun!”

To summarize, make sure to grab your copy of the Christmas Multiplication Worksheet Bundle to bring some extra cheer and focus to your classroom this December. 🎅. You can lighten your prep load with A Christmas Multi-Digit Multiplication Bundle They’ll Love!

Additionally, are you looking for some easy holiday gifts for your students? Check out this blog post on 3 Easy Holiday Gifts for Your Students.

Happy Holidays and Merry Teaching!

Thanksgiving Dinner Math Project – Based Learning for Grades 5-7

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Thanksgiving Dinner Project Based Learning

As Thanksgiving approaches, why not bring a little holiday spirit into math class? If you’re teaching grades 5-7 and looking for an engaging, no-prep way to challenge students, this Thanksgiving Dinner Math Project – Based Learning for Grades 5-7 could be the perfect solution! In this activity, students take on the role of planning a Thanksgiving dinner. They’ll use real-world math skills to budget, calculate, and think critically. Let’s dive into what makes this resource a classroom favorite!

Why Use a Project-Based Learning Approach?

Project-based learning (PBL) is an excellent way to build engagement. It helps students see the relevance of math beyond the classroom walls. This approach not only encourages problem-solving but also builds a sense of accomplishment as students complete a project that mirrors real-life decision-making. When math feels real and relatable, it sticks!

What’s Inside the Thanksgiving Dinner Math Project?

Designed specifically for grades 5-7, this resource is both comprehensive and flexible, making it easy to implement. Here’s what students will explore:

  • Budgeting and Cost Analysis: Students have a “budget” and need to make choices about what they can afford for their Thanksgiving meal. They’ll practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills as they work to stay within their budget.
  • Unit Rates and Multiplication: From calculating the cost per serving to determine the amount of food needed for a certain number of guests, this activity helps reinforce multiplication, division, and understanding of unit rates.
  • Comparison Shopping: Just like in real life, students will compare prices for different ingredients and decide where they can save without sacrificing quality. It’s a practical, relatable way to discuss value and critical thinking in decision-making.
  • Real-World Application with No Prep for Teachers: This is a complete, ready-to-go resource. No extra prep is required! With clear instructions and all the materials included, you can get started quickly.

How This Project Benefits Your Students

  • Encourages Collaboration: Students can work in pairs or small groups, sharing ideas and solutions for their Thanksgiving dinner plans. This teamwork aspect is perfect for building social skills and fostering a sense of cooperation.
  • Builds Critical Thinking: Decision-making about budget constraints, food options, and quantities requires students to apply critical thinking skills. They’ll analyze information, consider options, and justify their choices.
  • Integrates Cross-Curricular Learning: This project blends math with financial literacy and even some light social studies as students think about cultural elements of Thanksgiving.
  • Fosters Real-World Skills: This isn’t just about math—it’s about preparing students for life outside the classroom. Budgeting and making thoughtful choices are essential skills, and this project provides a fun, low-pressure way to practice them.

What Teachers Are Saying

This Thanksgiving Dinner Math Project has received rave reviews from teachers who appreciate the engagement, creativity, and real-world skills it brings into their classrooms. Here’s what one teacher shared:

“My students loved the opportunity to create their Thanksgiving dinner menu and see how math applies in real life. It was a hit in the classroom and kept them engaged from start to finish!”

Ready to try this Thanksgiving Dinner Math Project – Based Learning in Your Classroom?

If you’re looking to make math meaningful this Thanksgiving season, I invite you to check out the Thanksgiving Dinner Math Project on TpT. Not only is it fun for students, but it’s also a no-prep activity for you, so you can spend more time enjoying the season and less time on planning.

Give your students a taste of real-world budgeting and decision-making this Thanksgiving, all while sharpening their math skills. Let’s make math class memorable—and deliciously fun!

I hope this inspires your readers and gets them excited to bring the Thanksgiving spirit into their math lessons!

Are you looking for more Thanksgiving resources for your upper elementary math class? Check out this blog post on Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math.

4 Ways to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween

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4 Ways to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween

Practicing integers is so essential for middle school math. Using Halloween-themed resources for October is a great way to make integer practice fun. You can use fun worksheets, task cards, Boom cards, or even Jeopardy-like games to help review integers. You can even use all four for a whole month of immersive review. Students enjoy learning and reviewing math more when they’re having fun. Read below to find 4 ways to have fun reviewing integers for Halloween.

Halloween Integer Worksheets

Halloween Integer Worksheets

These integer worksheets are so much fun for Halloween. They include six worksheets with a Halloween theme and answer keys. Topics include Absolute Value & Opposite Integers, Comparing & Ordering Integers, Adding & Subtracting Integers, Multiplying & Dividing Integers, and Order of Operations with Integers. There is also a Halloween Integer Riddle that uses Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Integers.

These worksheets would be great for Halloween Themed Math Centers, Homework, Bell Questions, Review, or Test Prep. They’d also be great for sub plans!

Here’s what one teacher said about these worksheets: “GREAT Integers Halloween worksheets my students enjoyed! THANK YOU for creating a TERRIFIC resource that I will enjoy using year after year!”

Halloween Integer Boom Cards

4 Ways to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween

Boom cards are great because they’re interactive and self-correcting. Students love that they receive immediate feedback on their progress. You’ll love that you have less grading. This bundle features Adding and Subtracting Integers, Multiplying & Dividing Integers, and Multiplying Decimals.

Here’s what one teacher said about these Boom cards: “I love these and so do my students! Thank you SO much for showing me something I didn’t know about–now I use Boom Cards often!”

Boom cards are a great way to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween. If you’re new to Boom cards, check out my blog post on 6 Reasons to Use Boom Cards in Your Classroom.

Here’s a fun YouTube video showing how the Adding & Subtracting Integers Boom Cards work.

Halloween Integer Games

4 Ways to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween

Everyone loves a fun game, especially in math class. This game is played similarly to Jeopardy with five different categories and final Jeopardy. All the questions and answers are editable, so you can edit questions to fit your class needs.

Questions are linked to the interactive game board to make it easy to navigate. Once you visit a question, the link on the game board will change from white to orange to let you know that you have already used that question.

One teacher said about this Jeopardy game: “My students loved this activity at Halloween time. The topics were perfect for our Pre-Algebra Curriculum. Students stayed engaged and worked through the entire period! Thank you for such a well-done activity!”

Halloween Integer Task Cards

Halloween Integers Task Cards

Are you looking for a fun and easy-to-use Halloween resource to help your students practice Integers? Maybe you need both printable and digital options to reach all your students. These 36 task cards are differentiated into three levels and are perfect for practicing Integers. There are three different levels, each with a different Halloween-themed border. You will have student recording sheets and answer keys for easy grading. With this purchase, you can access both printable and digital versions.

Here’s what one teacher said about these task cards: “Great activity aligned with standard and fun to do near Halloween.”

Money-Saving Bundle with All Four

4 Ways to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween

If you’re interested in all four resources, check out the money-saving Halloween Integer BUNDLE with Worksheets, Task Cards, BOOM Cards, and Game.

Here’s what one teacher had to say about this bundle: “I really loved this integer bundle! It had great practice activities and was a good review. I loved the Halloween Theme as well! :)”

I hope you enjoyed these 4 Ways to Have Fun Reviewing Integers for Halloween. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Math Worksheets Your 5th Graders Will Love

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Halloween Math Worksheets Your 5th Graders Will Love

Finding meaningful math activities for your 5th graders can be such a challenge for Halloween. You want to use something engaging and fun for the holidays. You also want to provide valuable math practice for your students. It’s helpful if there are detailed answer keys. You might also want differentiated worksheets. That way students can start with easier questions and then move to more challenging questions as they gain confidence. Check out these Halloween Math Worksheets Your 5th Graders Will Love.

Halloween Math 2 digit by 2 digit Multiplication

Halloween Math Worksheets

These worksheets are so much fun because they have four different levels of difficulty. Plus, they include the ever-popular Halloween-themed word problems. They also have both digital and printable versions included.

Here’s what one teacher had to say about them: “Very well done – I love the differentiation by easier factors and harder factors! The word problems are fantastic, too! Thank You!!!”

These worksheets are also part of larger money savings bundles, including the Halloween Math Multiplication Worksheet Bundle and the Halloween Math Multiplication and Long Division BUNDLE.

Halloween Math Rounding Decimals

Halloween Math Worksheets

These worksheets are great because they have a helpful gray box at the top of each page to explain the steps in rounding decimals. They’re also differentiated, so students start with the easiest questions in level one and then move to the more challenging questions in levels two and three as they gain confidence.

Here’s what one teacher had to say about these worksheets: “A fun yet educational resource to help my students review rounding decimals! So glad I found this resource!”

These would be great as math centers with the Halloween Math Decimal Worksheet Bundle. You can find these worksheets in the money-saving Halloween Math Decimal BUNDLE with Worksheets, Task Cards, BOOM Cards, and Game.

Halloween 3 digit by 1 digit Long Division with Detailed Answer Keys

Halloween Long Division Worksheets

I love using these worksheets because they have detailed answer keys showing all the steps in the long division problems. That makes these great for math centers or sub plans. You will also find the differentiation helpful since you can differentiate by student or class.

Here’s what one teacher had to say about these worksheets: “Fun, easy to use, themed math pages! These are great for independent practice and skill review!”

These worksheets are also part of a larger money savings bundle, the Halloween Math Multiplication and Long Division BUNDLE.

Halloween Math Equivalent Fractions

Halloween Math

Your students will love these Halloween-themed Equivalent Fractions Worksheets. They have a helpful gray box at the top of each page that defines equivalent fractions and explains how to find them. It’s super helpful that they are differentiated into three levels, so students start with easier questions and then move to more challenging questions as they gain confidence. They’re perfect for your diverse classroom.

These would be perfect for fraction centers or Halloween-themed math centers. These worksheets are also part of a larger money savings bundle, the Halloween Fraction Bundle.

I hope all these worksheets are helpful for your 5th-grade students. You might also be interested in other Halloween Resources in my TpT store or other blog posts on 5th-grade math resources.

Halloween Bingo Your Students Will Love

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Halloween Bingo Your Students Will Love

Students love playing bingo, especially during the holidays. I love using bingo games for class parties, sub plans, or class behavior rewards. You can play them multiple times in one class period, which is a nice benefit. You can even play them on multiple days in October, making it a great investment. Bingo is also a great game to play when you feel like your students may be distracted by the excitement of costumes and trick-or-treating. Check out this Halloween Bingo Your Students Will Love.

This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Halloween Bingo

Color and Black & White Bingo Cards

Having both options for the bingo games is such a benefit. The colored cards look amazing, but you might not have access to a color printer. Plus, the black and white version can also be used as a coloring page which gives you two activities in one. Students really love coloring their bingo cards before the game begins.

This bingo game also comes with 36 unique bingo cards, which is helpful for bigger classes.

Use Holiday-Themed Markers for Halloween Bingo Your Students Will Love

Halloween Bingo Your Students Will Love

I also love using holiday-themed bingo markers for the game boards.  Halloween Hershey Kisses (affiliate link), candy corns (affiliate link), mini pumpkins (affiliate link), Jolly Ranchers (affiliate link), Skittles (affiliate link), Halloween M&Ms (affiliate link), or Halloween mini erasers (affiliate link) would all make great bingo board markers.

For the winners of the bingo games, you could use these Halloween Editable Labels to create your own classroom prizes. You could include line leader for the day, teacher for a day, free homework passes, or lunch with the teacher. You can also check out my blog post on Easy Halloween Treats for Your Students for more ideas on prized for the winners.

Digital Halloween Bingo

Digital and Printable Options

Having both digital and printable options is so helpful when you don’t have time to make copies. It’s also great if you have limits on how many copies you can make. This bingo game uses digital game boards with the TpT Easel Activities tool. It’s easy to assign to your students either in Google classroom or with a simple email. Plus, they can create their own bingo markers.

Check Out the YouTube Video for More Information

I hope you enjoyed this blog post on Halloween Bingo Your Students Will Love. You might also be interested in 5 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Your Math Class.

You might also be interested in the Holiday Bingo Bundle for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.

Easter Resources Your Upper Elementary Math Students Will Love

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Spring is in the air, and your students are excited about the warmer days. Like you, they may be counting the days until spring break or even summer break. Now is a great time to use some fun and engaging spring and Easter-themed resources in your classroom. Using digital and printable resources will also help you reach all your students. Differentiation is also helpful because students can start with easier questions then move to more challenging questions as they gain confidence. Check out these Easter resources your upper elementary math students will love.

1. Equivalent Fractions Differentiated Worksheets

Easter Resources Your Upper Elementary Math Students Will Love

If your students need more practice with Equivalent Fractions, these differentiated worksheets are perfect. Students start with level 1 (the easiest questions) then move to levels 2 and 3 (more challenging questions) as they gain more confidence.

You can also find these worksheets in the Easter Fraction Bundle and Easter Math Bundle. These bundles would make great sub plans, morning work, or even math centers for your classroom.

2. Easter Multiplication Game Similar to Jeopardy

Easter Multiplication Game Similar to Jeopardy

Everyone loves a fun game of Jeopardy. This game is great if your students are excited about spring break and have a hard time focusing. They’ll have so much fun playing the game that they’ll forget their practicing multi-digit multiplication.

Categories and questions are editable so that you can customize them for your class. You can use the questions as written, change a few, or completely customize them to your needs. It’s completely flexible.

Questions are linked back to the interactive game board to make it easy to navigate. Once you visit a question, the link on the game board will change from purple to grey to let you know that you have already used that question.

3. Spring Themed Adding 4 Digit Numbers Color by Code Boom Cards

Students love color by code resources. Using digital color by code is great because there is no prep and grading. These spring-themed Boom cards are so much fun because they are interactive, and students receive immediate feedback so they can learn from their mistakes.

Students digitally color in two spring-themed images while answering twenty-two questions on adding four-digit numbers.

You can play the four first cards of the deck in this preview to check out these Boom cards.

Check out this blog post on Boom cards if you’d like to learn more about using them in your classroom.

4. Easter Order of Operations with Decimals

Easter Resources Your Upper Elementary Math Students Will Love

Are you looking for a fun way to practice Order of Operations with Decimals this spring? These 3 Easter-themed worksheets are differentiated and cover mixed operations with decimals. Students use Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally and order of operations to solve these questions with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. A helpful gray box at the top of each page explains the steps for multiplying decimals.

These worksheets are also part of a discounted Easter Decimal Worksheet Bundle. They would be great for Math Centers, Morning Work, Homework, Early Finishers, Review Sheets, or Sub Plans.

5. Easter Editable Labels and Gift Tags

Easter Editable Labels

These editable labels for Easter are perfect for creating your own task cards. You can even ask your students to write the questions for an additional fun activity. They will love writing math questions while trying to stump their classmates. They are also great for classroom decor or labels or bulletin boards. They also make great gift tags for Easter goodies for your students.

I hope these resources are all helpful for you in your classroom.

You might also be interested in other Easter and Spring-themed resources in my TpT store.

Valentine’s Day Math Activities for Upper Elementary

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Valentine's Day Resources for Upper Elementary Math

Finding engaging Valentine’s Day activities for your upper elementary math classroom can be a challenge. Students are young enough that they still want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in their classrooms. They’re sensitive to activities that are geared more toward younger students.

Plus, with the holiday in February, you need to make sure any activities have lots of math practice for your students. With end-of-year testing right around the corner, every day counts in covering new material or reviewing your math curriculum.

Here are some fun Valentine’s Day activities that will make the holiday go smoother in your upper elementary math classroom.

1. Valentine’s Day Activities Worksheets for Upper Elementary Math

Valentine's Day Multiplication Worksheet Bundle

Worksheets are great because you can use them in so many different ways: morning work, math centers, classwork, homework, early finishers, or sub plans.

Math centers are always fun because the students get to move around the room to different centers to complete different tasks.  Using differentiated worksheets is helpful because students can start with the easiest (level 1). After they gain confidence they can then work their way through more challenging questions (levels 2 and 3). Finally, they can finish with the most challenging word problems. 

Using a Valentine’s Day theme will get them in a festive mood and make the math review more interesting.  Math centers with worksheets are also great for sub plans if you know you will have to miss some days of school in February. You might also be interested in Valentine’s Day Decimal Worksheet Bundle.

2. Valentine’s Day Task Cards

Valentine's Day Editable Labels

Use these Valentine’s Day Editable Labels to create your own task cards for your students. There are 6 different designs and 4 different sizes so there are a lot of options for you. Either type or handwrite the questions for your students. Or, for an extra challenge, ask your students to write the questions.

Task cards are fun because students work on one question at a time while moving around the room.  You can have them work individually or with partners. Use task cards as a “Roam the Room” activity where you place task cards all over the room and they have to search for each question before they answer it.  Or, you can play scoot where you place a task card on each student desk and students “scoot” from one desk to the next as they answer the question.  Finally, you could set up centers where students answer 3-5 task cards at each center.  There are so many options with task cards.

3. Math Games Similar to Jeopardy for Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day Fraction Game Similar to Jeopardy

My classes always enjoy a fun game of Jeopardy.  They get to work in teams which takes the pressure off students who may be struggling with a particular math topic (fractions, multiplication, integers, or decimals). 

They learn how to work together and they usually have so much fun that they forget they’re practicing math.  If you use an editable game like this one, you can play the game on day 1 then ask teams to write new questions to create a second game for day 2. 

Find some easy prizes like mini erasers, Homework passes, or Valentine’s Day chocolate for the team that wins and they have additional motivation.

4. Self-Correcting Boom Cards

Valentine's Day Math Boom Cards

Boom cards are great if your students need a little downtime after other Valentine’s Day activities.  They are a quiet activity that can be used individually or with a partner.  They are also great to use either in person or as a remote activity.

Students work at their own pace and all the questions are self-correcting so the students can immediately learn from their mistakes.  Students also love how interactive the questions are. For example, with these uncover the picture Boom cards, students tap or click on one of the red rectangles to answer the questions. As they answer correctly, they uncover a Valentine’s Day themed image that is hidden underneath. This deck has 2 different images to uncover for lots of fun practice.

You might be interested in other Valentine’s Day themed Boom Cards for your classroom.

Boom cards are also a big time-saver for teachers because the grading is automatically done for you and you can track student data. It’s also a great way for students to use technology in the classroom.

If you’ve never tried Boom cards before, download some free boom cards first to see how they would work in your classroom. You can also make your own Boom cards to use in your classroom, sell on TpT and also sell on the Boom Learning website.

I hope you found these suggestions helpful as you plan your Valentine’s Day activities for your upper elementary math classroom.

Looking for more fun activities? Check out all my Valentine’s Day math activities in my TpT store.

3 Easy Holiday Gifts for Your Students

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3 easy Holiday Gifts for Your Students

It’s that time of year when you want to do something special for your students without having to invest too much time or money.  The goal is to give them a little holiday cheer and maybe even a little bit of encouragement or recognition for good effort in your class. Because teachers are especially busy in the holidays season, it’s important that the gifts are heart felt but don’t require too much of your valuable time or energy. It’s helpful if they’re reasonably priced too considering you have to shop for more than one student. Here are 3 easy holiday gifts that you can give to your students.

1. Holiday Candy Bar Wrappers

Christmas Candy Bar Wrappers

All you need is a standard size Hershey Bar, color printer, scissors, and glue stick.  Before you print, you can even personalize your wrapper with your students’ names and a special message or word of encouragement from you. Start to finish, it takes about 1-2 hours to complete a set of 30 candy bars once you have all your materials.  To make it super easy, use these editable templates to customize your candy bar wrappers.

Your students will love this little bit of chocolate for the holidays and you’ll appreciate how easy and affordable these little gifts are.  The candy bars are less than $1 each and if you have access to a color printer you can finish all your student gifts for about $30 – $35.

2. Homework Passes or Coupons

Christmas Editable Labels and Gift Tags

Kids are super busy these days with all kinds of after school activities like sports, music, dance, and theater.  Why not lighten their load one night with the gift of a free homework pass?  Students get to pick the day that they use this pass so it’s super flexible for them. 

To make these gifts all you need is a color printer and PowerPoint on your computer.  These Christmas Editable Labels would be perfect for creating your homework passes.  They make great gift tags too!  The best part about these gifts is that they’re really reasonably priced.  Only $3.50 for the Christmas Editable Label file and if you have a color printer then that’s all you’ll need to spend on this gift.

You can also use these Editable Labels as coupons.  Give a coupon for 5-10 extra points on a test and your kids will be super excited.  You could also do coupons for special privileges like free time, computer time, sit with your friend, first in line, etc. You have so many options!

3.  Personalized Pencils

Personalized Pencils

Pencils always seem to disappear in the classroom so personalized pencils with each of your student’s names are a special treat.  These pencils from forteachersonly.com come with 3 different pencils in a pouch.  I love that the pencils come in 3 different colors too.  Each set of 3 pencils is only $0.99 which is really reasonable.  For a class of 30 students, these gifts would cost about $30.

So, there you have it!  3 easy holiday gift or your students that won’t break the bank or take a ton of your precious time this busy holiday season.

I hope you and your students, family, and friends have a very Merry Christmas!

You might also be interested in Easy Halloween Treats for Your Students.

Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math

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Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math

Engaging Thanksgiving activities for your upper elementary math classroom can be challenging. First of all, the week is awkward, with most schools taking Wednesday through Friday off for the holiday. That means you have to find something that will be beneficial with one or two days of instruction.  Second, some of your students may be missing school to travel. This means it would be a good idea not to introduce new material making review your best bet. Finally, students are distracted by the short week, so it’s a challenge to keep them focused.

Here are some fun Thanksgiving activities that will make those days go smoother in your upper elementary math classroom.

1. Project-Based Learning

Thanksgiving Dinner Project Based Learning

Project based learning is great because it satisfies all three criteria for an engaging Thanksgiving activity.  Most projects have 2-3 days’ worth of work, and you can even taper that depending on the activities that you want to use with your students.  Use some or all of the activities depending on how much time you have. Also, choose math topics your students need to review, like multiplication, decimals, or fractions, so students who are out of school won’t miss learning new material. 

This Thanksgiving project has students planning a Thanksgiving dinner based on a given budget. They get to pick their favorite side dishes and create their own Thanksgiving Dinner. Having something holiday-themed will keep them engaged and focused. 

2. Math Centers with Worksheets Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math

Thanksgiving Multiplication Worksheets

Math centers are always fun because the students get to move around the room to different centers to complete different tasks.  Using differentiated worksheets is helpful because students can start with the easiest (level 1), then work their way through more challenging questions (levels 2 and 3) then finish with the most challenging word problems.  Using a Thanksgiving theme will get them in the holiday spirit and make the math review more interesting.  Math centers with worksheets are also great for sub plans if you know you will have to miss those days leading up to Thanksgiving break.

3. Math Centers with Task Cards

Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math

Task cards are fun because students work on one question at a time while moving around the room.  You can have them work individually or with partners. Use task cards as a “Roam the Room” activity where you place task cards all over the room, and they have to search for each question before they answer it.  Or, you can play scoot, where you place a task card on each student’s desk, and students “scoot” from one desk to the next as they answer the question.  Finally, you could set up centers where students answer 3-5 task cards at each center.  There are so many options with task cards.

If you want to create your own task cards OR have your students make task cards, you could use these Thanksgiving Editable Labels to create your own custom task cards for your class.

4. Digital Games with the Whole Class Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math

Thanksgiving Activities for Upper Elementary Math

My classes always enjoyed a good game of Jeopardy.  They get to work in teams which takes some of the pressure off for kids who may be over-excited or worn out with the upcoming holiday.  They learn how to work together, and they usually have so much fun that they forget they’re practicing math.  If you use an editable game like this one, you can play the game on day 1 and then ask teams to write new questions to create a second game for day 2.  Find some easy prizes like mini erasers for the team that wins, and they have additional motivation.

5. Digital Resources for Individuals

Thanksgiving BOOM cards for 3 digit multiplication

Digital resources like Boom cards are great if your students need a little downtime after other Thanksgiving activities.  It’s a quiet activity that can be used individually or with a partner.  Students work at their own pace, and all the questions are self-correcting, so they can immediately learn from their mistakes.  Students also love how interactive the questions are. It’s also a big time saver for teachers because the grading is automatically done for you, and you can track student data. And it’s a great way for students to use technology in the classroom.

If you’ve never tried Boom cards before, download some free boom cards first to see how they would work in your classroom. You can also make your own Boom cards to use in your classroom, sell on TpT and also sell on the Boom Learning website.

I hope you found these suggestions helpful as you plan your Thanksgiving activities for your upper elementary math classroom.

Click here to check out ALL my Thanksgiving resources for upper elementary math.