[Our December math activities are available for third, fourth, and fifth grade.]
We have everything you need to help you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter, and even Gingerbread People in your classroom this year!
After Thanksgiving, there are only a few short weeks of school before Winter Break. These weeks simultaneously pass in the blink of an eye and drag on like watching paint dry. You might find yourself balancing trying to make sure students are still learning while also honoring their various emotions and needs during the holiday season. And, of course, it is important to enjoy the time you have with your students!
December’s activities for 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade provide the perfect balance of having fun while continuing to learn essential math skills. All activities are differentiated so you can easily use them with your whole class. There are a variety of themes as well as math topics to choose from. The only question…who will love this more, you or your students?
Let’s take a closer look at what December’s bundles include!
- Multiplication Ornaments
- Deck the Halls Division Flip Book
- Gingerbread Maze
- Secret Santa Logic Puzzle
- Reindeer Game: Fraction Squares
- Area Hanukkah Squares
- Winter Wonderland Math Vocabulary Crossword
- Multiplication Property Matching (3rd)
- Angle Matching & Measuring (4th)
- Coordinate Grid Matching & Hidden Image (5th)
1. Multiplication Ornaments
Let’s get started with a no-prep math craft! This may be the ultimate combination of learning and fun. Students practice multiplication, color by number, cut and glue, and have a beautiful ornament to decorate your classroom as a final product. The lower level creates a round ornament and the higher level a Christmas tree. Can’t decide? Do both!
3rd Grade:
• multiplication facts 1-5
•• multiplications facts 6-10
4th Grade:
• 2 digits x 1 digit
•• 3 digits x 1 digit
5th Grade:
• 4 digits x 1 digit
•• 2 digits x 2 digits
2. Deck the Halls Division Flip Book
Here is a simple and fun way to practice division skills in an easy-to-create flip book for students. Students cut out the 4 rectangles, line them up, and either staple or glue the edges together. Inside, students will see matching and fill in the blanks.
3rd Grade:
Equal Shares, Unknowns, Fact Families
• divide by 1, 2, 4, 5, 10
•• divide by 3, 6, 7, 8 9
4th Grade:
Arrays, Area Models, Interpreting Remainders
• 2 digits ÷ 1 digit
•• 3 digits ÷ 1 digit
5th Grade:
Area Models, Long Division, Remainders
• 4 digits ÷ 1 digit
•• 3-4 digits ÷ 2 digits
3. Gingerbread Maze
This maze matches multiplication and division expressions with their products or quotients. Switching back and forth between multiplication and division can be challenging for some students and is a good way to reinforce the concept that they are opposites. For struggling students, use a multiplication chart or whiteboard to provide scaffolding.
3rd Grade:
Basic Facts
• multiply & divide by 1-5
•• multiply & divide by 6-10
4th Grade:
Basic Facts up to 15
• x and ÷ up to 12
•• x and ÷ up to 15
5th Grade:
Powers of 10
• whole numbers
•• decimals to hundredths
4. Secret Santa Logic Puzzle
This logic puzzle is all about fractions! The gift tags have been mixed up and labeled with fractions instead of children’s names. Students use what they know about fractions to make sure everyone gets the right gift. Early finishers will enjoy the theme and critical thinking required to solve this Secret Santa mix-up.
3rd Grade:
Equal parts, comparing fractions, basic fraction addition
• 5 fractions and children
•• 9 fractions and children
4th Grade:
Equal parts, comparing fractions, adding and subtracting with like denominators, multiplying whole numbers by unit fractions
• 5 fractions and children
•• 9 fractions and children
5th Grade:
Comparing fractions, adding and subtracting with like and unlike denominators, multiplying whole numbers by unit fractions, dividing fractions in half
• 5 fractions and children
•• 9 fractions and children
5. Reindeer Game: Fraction Squares
Do you remember the Dot Game from your own childhood? Here’s a version to bring back that joy while practicing equivalent fractions. All you need is a different colored marker for each player and a spinner or paper clip. Spin the spinner and find an equivalent fraction for 3rd and 4th grades. For 5th, spin and add the fractions. Then, draw a line connecting two dots near the fraction and try to complete more squares than your opponent.
For students who may be struggling, try using this FREE Equivalent Fractions Bookmark.
3rd Grade:
Equivalent fractions for wholes, halves, thirds, and fourths
• halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eights
•• halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths, tenths
4th Grade:
Equivalent fractions for halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, and tenths
• equivalent fractions
•• equivalent fractions and decimals
5th Grade:
Adding like and unlike denominators, mixed numbers, and reducing fractions
• add and reduce fractions
•• add and reduce fractions and mixed numbers
6. Area/Volume Hanukkah Squares
This puzzle is more challenging than it first appears. Each image needs to find a correct match to its area and perimeter in the third and fourth grade versions. Fifth graders will search for the correct equation and volume for the three dimensional objects in the puzzle.
The edges aren’t blank, so remind students to solve the whole puzzle before using glue!
3rd Grade:
Area & Perimeter
• irregular shapes with gridlines
•• rectangles with and without gridlines
Bonus: irregular shapes without gridlines
4th Grade:
Area & Perimeter with Formulas
• rectangles using formula for area and perimeter
•• rectangles using formula for area, perimeter, or side length or width
5th Grade:
Volume with Formulas
• rectangular prisms with gridlines
•• rectangular prisms without gridlines
7. Winter Wonderland Math Vocabulary Crossword
Having a robust mathematical vocabulary is helpful as students learn new concepts. This crossword puzzle helps students with their vocabulary skills specific to their grade level as well as words they will use across many grades. Words banks are provided to support students with spelling. Haven’t learned some of the words yet? Students can practice their dictionary skills too!
3rd Grade:
• 9 words
•• 13 words
4th Grade:
• 9 words
•• 13 words
5th Grade:
• 9 words
•• 14 words
8. Multiplication Property Matching (3rd Grade)
This is a set of 3 quick sorting activities to familiarize students with the associative, commutative, and distributive properties of multiplication. In the higher level, students differentiate between the 3 properties. This would be a great introduction or review for students.
8. Angle Type Matching & Measuring (4th Grade)
Practice acute, obtuse, and right angles by matching angles on ornaments with their Christmas trees. This is ideal for a quick review of angle types. A bonus activity also has students measure with a protractor to match the given angle measures.
8. Coordinate Grid Matching (5th Grade)
Whether students have already learned about coordinate planes or are experiencing them for the first time, there is something for all students. Match numbered pairs to the correct coordinate grid, write numbered pairs, or use numbered pairs to plot and create a picture. Or, do all 3!
3rd Grade:
Multiplication Property Matching
• 3 separate worksheets – commutative, distributive, and associative properties
•• all 3 properties together
4th Grade:
Acute, Obtuse, and Right Angle Matching
• with degrees
•• without degrees
Bonus: measure angles with protractor
5th Grade:
Coordinate Grid Matching and Drawing
• Find the correct points
•• Write the numbered pairs
Bonus: Plot, draw, and color a secret Christmas picture
I hope you enjoy these activities with your students as you get in the holiday spirit. If you want even more to cheer about, be sure to check out the entire year bundle for your third, fourth, or fifth graders.
Happy Holidays!
View the Grade Level Bundles
Purchase the bundles and save!
- Monthly themed games, puzzles, riddles, coloring, and more!
- 2 levels for differentiation
- BW & Color
- Answer Keys
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