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Join for free resources →by Ping · November 22, 2022
As the year winds down and the winter holidays approach, it can be tricky to keep students engaged with review. They’re excited for vacation, seeing family, and taking a break for the year. My favorite activities during this time of year incorporate the exciting upcoming holidays into the classroom.
Here are six of my favorites that are perfect for your 5th grade math classroom.
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Join for free resources →Wondering how to review expressions & equations with 5th graders around the holidays?
Another great review activity for the winter holidays is Doodle Math. Like Pixel Art, it has an artistic element, but is in print format. Students solve a series of problems, with each correct answer unlocking a series of doodle patterns that they can draw onto a template image.
It’s like color-by-number or color-by-code, but with a bit more creative freedom to pick the colors that they use for the patterns.
$1.99
Looking to add some holiday cheer to your math lessons? This Evaluating Numerical Expressions Doodle & Color by Number resource is perfect for 4th to 6th graders! With 16 engaging, elf-themed questions, students will practice evaluating numerical expressions with exponents while mastering the order of operations (PEMDAS). Not only is it a fun, interactive way to reinforce skills, but it also meets standards like CCSS 5.OA.A.1 and CCSS 6.EE.A.1. Plus, it's a printable PDF, making it super easy to use in your classroom.
There’s also a version of the order of operations activity that includes 1 set of problems and 5 template pictures for different holidays, for year-round use:
$3.99
This Evaluating Numerical Expressions Doodle & Color by Number Holiday Pack is perfect for engaging middle schoolers in math! With 16 questions focused on evaluating numerical expressions using PEMDAS and suitable for grades 5 and 6, this resource lets students unleash their creativity while practicing essential skills. It covers fun holiday themes like Halloween and Christmas, and the zero prep worksheets are ideal for independent practice or math centers. Plus, each correct answer reveals a unique doodle, making learning enjoyable and interactive!
Wondering how to review decimals with 5th graders around the holidays?
Try my holiday-themed decimal Doodle Math activities, where students complete a series of decimal problems, and unlock winter and Christmas themed pictures.
There's three to try:
$3.50
Looking to make adding and subtracting decimals exciting for your middle schoolers? Our Doodle & Color by Number worksheets offer a fun twist on traditional practice, featuring 32 engaging questions tailored for fifth, sixth, and seventh graders. With both vertical and horizontal setups, this printable PDF activity unlocks winter and Christmas-themed doodle patterns as students find correct answers. Designed to meet CCSS standards like 5.NBT.B.7 and 7.NS.A.1.d, it’s a perfect blend of math practice and holiday fun, ensuring your lesson plans are both effective and enjoyable.
$3.25
This Doodle & Color by Number activity is perfect for middle school teachers looking to engage students in long division with decimals. With 32 questions covering both dividing decimals by whole numbers and decimals by decimals, this resource supports CCSS 5.NBT.B.7 and CCSS 7.NS.A.2. It's a zero-prep, print-and-go solution suitable for emergency sub plans, independent practice, or math centers. Plus, the fun coloring aspect keeps students motivated while learning essential skills in grades 5-7!
$3.00
Get students excited about multiplying decimals with our Doodle & Color by Number printable worksheets! This engaging Doodle Math activity covers essential skills like multiplying decimals by whole numbers and decimals by decimals, aligning perfectly with CCSS 5.NBT.B.7 and CCSS 7.NS.A.2. With three levels and 18 fun questions, students can solve problems while revealing a winter-themed image to color in. It's a great way to keep learning festive, whether for Christmas, winter holidays, or any day in the classroom!
And here's them in a money-saving bundle:
$7.50
Get ready to make decimal operations fun with our Doodle & Color by Number bundle! Perfect for fifth through seventh graders, this engaging resource combines holiday cheer with essential math skills like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals. Aligned with CCSS 5.NBT.B.7 and CCSS 6.NS.B.2, these activities not only reinforce decimal concepts but also keep your students entertained during the winter season. Say goodbye to boring worksheets and hello to creative math practice that lets students express their artistic side while mastering key skills!
Looking for a version of this that you can reuse year-round?
I’ve produced a special Doodle Math 6-Holiday Pack for decimal operations. It contains 6 decimal operations problem sets together with 6 template images for different holidays (e.g. Hannukkah, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day):
$15.00
I’ve created the perfect resource for your middle school math class with our Decimal Operations Holiday Pack! This printable PDF features fun Doodle & Color by Number activities that help students practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals up to the thousandths place. With six engaging holiday-themed problem sets totaling 96 questions, it's ideal for independent practice or as part of your math centers. Plus, it aligns with CCSS standards like 5.NBT.B.7 and 6.NS.B.3, making it a solid choice for your fifth, sixth, or seventh graders!
Wondering how to support fast finisher 5th graders around the holidays?
One of my favorite tools for fast finishers in the classroom is Google Sheets Pixel Art. Students solve a series of problems, and get instant feedback as they go — each correct answer unlocks part of a mystery picture. It's perfect if you have fast finishers, as you can assign Pixel Art to them, and they can work entirely independently.
And better yet, I’ve developed a set of winter-themed Pixel Art activities perfect for the holidays as well as the new year.
$3.99
This digital pixel art activity in Google Sheets is a fun way for middle school teachers to review area and perimeter with their students. With 30 self-checking questions covering rectangles, triangles, and composite figures, it lets kids reveal festive images like snowmen and reindeer as they solve problems. It's perfect for sixth and seventh graders and aligns with CCSS 6.G.A.1. Plus, there's an optional printable PDF worksheet to reinforce learning on paper. It's super easy to assign in Google Classroom or for in-person learning, adding a creative twist to your math lessons during winter!
$5.99
Looking for a fun and engaging way to teach area and perimeter? This winter-themed Pixel Art BUNDLE is perfect for 5th to 7th graders, featuring 60 self-checking problems on individual polygons and composite figures. Designed as Google Sheets, it’s ideal for sub plans, review sessions, or independent practice. With a focus on CCSS 6.G.A.1, your students will enjoy practicing their geometry skills while creating pixel art. This resource combines learning and creativity, making math lessons more enjoyable for everyone!
These are just the beginning. I’m continuing to produce more winter activities. Don’t miss them by signing up for my mailing list — you’ll receive sample activities right away and tips for using them too!
Happy holidays!
I spent 7 years in the classroom working to make math fun and relevant in middle school, by integrating math, art, and technology. I started Congruent Math to share this all with you.
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