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While I know now is the time to be enjoying a WELL deserved summer break, I can’t help but provide you with some resources including some back to school math activities for when the new year rolls around! Having some exciting and fun go-to activities for the busy back to school time is so helpful, so look no further!
Math Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of math-related items or problems for students to find around the classroom or school. For example, they might hunt for answers or solve simple math equations hidden in various locations. What a great way to tour the learning environment!
Students work in teams or individually to solve various math tasks from word problems all the way to geometry! This is one of my favorite back to school math activities for teachers with no-prep, supplies list, instructions, and more!
Math Bingo
Customize bingo cards with math problems or numerical answers instead of traditional numbers. As you call out equations, students solve them and mark the corresponding answer on their bingo cards. A simple but classic addition to your back to school math activities!
Math Story Problems Relay
Divide students into teams and create a relay race where each team solves a series of math story problems. Once one student solves a problem, they pass it to the next teammate to solve the next one until all problems are completed. Not only is this a great refresher on word problems, but it gives students to opportunity to bond over some friendly competition!
Back to School Survival Packet
This back to school survival packet is packed full of both math and reading resources to jump start a productive year! The no-prep back to school math activities like worksheets and color by code are a must have for each new school year!
Math Mystery Bags
Fill several opaque bags with objects representing different mathematical concepts (e.g., a clock for telling time, coins for counting money). Students select a bag, feel the object inside, and then use deductive reasoning to guess the mathematical concept it represents. This is such a fun idea for introducing students to math concepts they will be learning during the upcoming year!
Math Puzzles and Brain Teasers
Present students with a variety of math puzzles and brain teasers to solve individually or in small groups. These can include logic puzzles, riddles, or visual puzzles that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You can even keep these back to school math activities around for early finishers later in the year!
Math Games Day
Dedicate a class period or a portion of the day to playing math-themed games like “Math Jeopardy,” “Math Olympics,” or card games that reinforce mathematical concepts from the year prior. Another classic to foster community and competition in your back to school math activities!
Math Art Project
Combine math and creativity by having students create art using mathematical concepts like symmetry, tessellations, or geometric shapes. Encourage them to explore different mediums such as drawing, painting, collages, or even digital art. This back to school math activity doubles as personalized classroom decor!
Start a Math Journal
Have students keep a math journal where they record their thoughts, practice problems, observations, and reflections on mathematical concepts learned in class. This can include writing about their problem-solving strategies, mathematical discoveries, or even creating their own math problems for classmates to solve. Use the beginning of the year to allow students to personalize their journals for the learning to come!
Math Olympics
Host a friendly math competition modeled after the Olympic Games, with events like mental math challenges, problem-solving relays, and math-themed quizzes. Award medals or certificates to celebrate students’ achievements and foster a sense of community in the classroom! You could spice up this back to school math activity by throwing in a few non-math related games!
Create a Story Problem
Have students create an illustrate a story problem using a math concept you will be reviewing or working on during the school year. Make this back to school math activity interactive by allowing students to present their problems for classmates to solve!
I hope that some of these back to school math activities have sparked some interest and that you will be able to relax and enjoy your well deserved break knowing you have them in your back pocket. Happy summer!
Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.
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