5TH GRADE NUMBER

This page provides samples of 5th grade number activities suitable for use in math centers, small group, or whole class settings. All activities are designed to elicit a range of responses and provide opportunities for students to communicate their reasoning and mathematical thinking. Download the sample activities under each standard or purchase the 5th Grade Math Centers eBook and have all the Number, Geometry, Measurement and Data Centers you’ll need for the entire school year in one convenient digital file.

OPERATIONS AND ALGEBRAIC THINKING

Write and interpret numerical expressions

5.OA.A.1 Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
Sample Activities:
Target Number Dash
Numerical Expressions Clock

5.OA.A.2 Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 x (8+7). Recognize that 3 x (18932 + 921) is three times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product.
Sample Activity:
Equivalent Expressions Match

Analyze patterns and relationships

5.OA.B.3 Generate two numerical patterns using two given rules. Identify apparent relationships between corresponding terms. Form ordered pairs consisting of corresponding terms from the two patterns, and graph the ordered pairs on a coordinate plane. For example, given the rule “Add 3” and the starting number 0, generate terms in the resulting sequences, and observe that the terms in one sequence are twice the corresponding terms in the other sequence. Explain informally why this is so.
Sample Activity:
Patterns on the Coordinate Plane Task Cards

NUMBER AND OPERATIONS IN BASE TEN

Understand the place value system

5.NBT.A.1 Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.
Sample Activity:
Place Value Concentration
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Comparing Digits 

5.NBT.A.2 Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers of 10, and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10. Use whole-number exponents to denote powers of 10.
Sample Activities:
Multiplying a Whole Number by a Power of 10
Multiplying a Decimal by a Power of 10
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Dividing a Whole Number by a Power of 10
Dividing a Decimal by a Power of 10
Exponent Roll

5.NBT.A.3 Read, write and compare decimals to thousandths.
a. read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form, e.g. 347.392 = 3x100 + 4x10 + 7x1 + 3 x (1/10) + 9 x (1/100) + 2 x (1/1000)
Sample Activities:
Hunt for Decimals
Representing Decimals 
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Decimal Pairs

b. Compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digits in each place, using>, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
Sample Activity:
Comparing Decimals
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Place Value Compare

5.NBT.A.4 Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.
Sample Activities:
Rounding Decimals on a Number Line (v. 1)
Roll and Round (nearest tenth)
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Rounding Decimals on a Number Line (v. 2)
Roll and Round (nearest hundredth)

Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths

5.NBT.B.5 Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
Sample Activity:
Multiplication Race (2 x 3 digit)
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Double and Halve (3 x 2 digit)
Make the Largest Product (v. 4)
Make the Smallest Product (v. 4)

5.NBT.B.6 Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by  using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
Sample Activities:
Division Strategy: Partition the Dividend (v. 2)  
Estimate the Quotient (v. 2)
Write It, Solve It, Check It! (v. 3)
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Division Strategy: Multiplying Up  
Division Strategy: Partial Quotients (v. 3)  
Who Has the Largest Quotient (v. 3)
Who Has the Largest Quotient (v. 4)
Write It, Solve It, Check It! (v. 4)

5.NBT.B.7 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction, relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
Sample Activities:
Total Ten
Magic Triangle: Decimals
Decimal Subtraction Spin
Double and Halve (decimals)
Word Problems: Decimals (Multiplication)
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Decimal Bag: Addition
Decimal Bag: Subtraction
Race to a Flat: Decimals
Decimal Pictures
Building with Decimals
Decimal Addition to 500
Adding Decimals
Decimal Sums
Subtracting Decimals (v. 1)
Subtracting Decimals (v. 2)
Decimal Race to Zero
Magic Squares: Decimals
Decimal Cross Number Puzzles
Factor Cover Up
Partial Products: Decimals (v. 1)
Partial Products: Decimals (v. 2)
Multiplying Dec. (whole x tenths)
Multiplying Dec. (whole x hundredths)
How Many Ways?
Partition the Dividend: Decimals 
Renaming Decimals to Divide (v. 1)
Renaming Decimals to Divide (v. 2)
Word Problems: Decimals (Division)
Decimals of the Week

NUMBER AND OPERATIONS: FRACTIONS

Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions

5.NF.A.1 Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or differences of fractions with like denominators.
Sample Activities:
Create Equivalent Fractions to Add Unlike Fractions 
Create Equivalent Fractions to Subtract Unlike Fractions
Closest to 25
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Magic Squares: Fractions (v. 1-3)
Equivalent Fractions Race
Fraction Designs

5.NF.A.2 Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For example, recognize an incorrect result 2/5 + ½ = 3/7 by observing that 3/7 < ½.
Sample Activities:
Word Problems: Adding Mixed Numbers 
Create and Solve: Adding Unlike Fractions
Create and Solve: Subtracting Unlike Fractions
Math Read Aloud Task Cards:
The Wishing Club (v. 1)
The Wishing Club (v. 2)
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Word Problems: Adding and Subtracting Fractions (Unlike Denominators)
Word Problems: Subtracting Mixed Numbers (Unlike Denominators)

Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions

5.NF.B.3 Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b). Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers, e.g. by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.
Sample Activity:
Interpret Fractions as Division
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Word Problems: Fraction and Mixed Number Quotients 

5.NF.B.4 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction or whole number by a fraction.
a. Interpret the product (a/b) x q as a parts of a partition of q into b equal parts; equivalently, as the result of a sequence of operations a x q÷b. For example, use a visual fraction model to show (2/3) x 4 = 8/3, and create a story context for this equation. Do the same with (2/3) x (4/5) = 8/15. (In general, (a/b) x (c/d) = ac/bd)
Sample Activities:
Multiply Unit Fractions by Non-Unit Fractions
Find a Fractional Part of a Group (v. 1)
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Find a Fractional Part of a Group (v. 2)
Cover Up: Fractions
Multiply Unit Fractions by Unit Fractions
Multiply Non-Unit Fraction by Non-Unit Fraction
Double and Halve with Fractions

b. Find the area of a rectangle with fractional side lengths by tiling it with unit squares of the appropriate unit fraction side lengths and show that the area is the same as would be found by multiplying the side lengths. Multiply fractional side lengths to find areas of rectangles, and represent fraction products as rectangular areas.
Sample Activity:
Find Areas of Rectangles
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Word Problems: Area with Fractions

5.NF.B.5 Interpret multiplication as scaling (resizing) by:
a. Comparing the size of a product to the size of one factor on the basis of the size of the other factor, without performing the indicated multiplication.
b. Explaining why multiplying a given number by a fraction greater than 1 results in a product greater than the given number; explaining why multiplying a given number by a fraction less than 1 results in a product smaller than the given number, and relating the principle of fraction equivalence a/b= nxa)/(nxb) to the effect of multiplying a/b x 1.
Sample Activity:
Comparing Factors and Products

5.NF.B.6 Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g. by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.
Sample Activities:
Mixed Number x Fraction Models
Whole Number x Mixed Number Models
Also included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Word Problems: Fraction x Fraction
Word Problems: Multiplying Mixed Numbers

5.NF.B.7 Apply and extend previous understandings of division to divide unit fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by unit fractions.
a. Interpret division of a unit fraction by a non-zero whole number and compute such quotients. For example, create a story context for (1/3)÷4, and use a visual fraction model to show the quotient. Use the relationship between multiplication and division to explain that (1/3)÷4  = 1/12 because (1/12) x 4 = 1/3.
Sample Activity:
Divide a Unit Fraction by a Whole Number

b. Interpret division of a whole number by a unit fraction, and compute such quotients. For example, create a story context for 4÷(1/5), and use a visual fraction model to show the quotient. Use the relationship between multiplication and division to explain that 4 ÷ (1/5) =20 because 20 x (1/5 )=4.
Sample Activities:
Divide a Whole Number by a Unit Fraction (v. 1)
Divide a Whole Number by a Unit Fraction (v. 2)

c. Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g. by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, how much chocolate will each person get if 3 people share 1/2lb of chocolate equally? How many 1/3-cup servings are in 2 cups of raisins?
Included in 5th Grade Math Centers:
Word Problems: Division with Unit Fractions