Math Games for Struggling Fifth Grade Students

What's Covered in Fifth Grade Math?

In fifth grade, students learn to measure capacity. They also use the four math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) with fractions. Division becomes more complex at this grade level because kids learn to divide with 2-digit divisors and decimal amounts.

If your child is struggling in math, remember that repetition is often the key to success. Practice consistently each night. Games can be used as a supplement to traditional math worksheets to build motivation and engage your child with the topic.

Go Fishing for Math

Cut out 52 squares out of construction paper to be used as cards. Label the cards in sets of four. Each set should show four different equivalent numbers. For example, you could label one set like this: 52%, 52/100, 0.52 and 26/50. Shuffle the cards and deal six to each player. The remaining cards should be placed in the middle of the table to be used as the 'pond'.

The goal of the game is to get as many equivalent pairs of cards as possible. Any equivalent pairs that a player is dealt can be immediately placed face down on the table. During his or her turn, the player will ask for specific cards. For example, player one could ask player two, 'Do you have a card equal to 25%?' If player two answers no, then player one must 'go fish' to attempt finding a card that is equivalent to 25%.

Pour Me Some!

Have your child explore volume using a pitcher of water and a variety of clear glass containers. Challenge your child to gather containers with different sizes and shapes. After collecting the containers, have your child make predictions about which containers he or she thinks will hold more or less.

Ask your child to arrange the containers in order from least expected volume to most expected volume. Have your child pour water into each container to check his or her predictions. Discuss the volume of the containers with your child, using the containers as visuals to help your child understand this measurement skill.