Why Do We Estimate With Decimals?

Is this a question your students have been asking in your math class? Let’s take a look at the benefits of estimating and how it can be used in your students’ day-to-day lives. 

Estimating is an essential skill because it helps us make quick guesses in math and everyday life. If you’re at the store and you want to know how much your groceries will cost, estimating helps you make a quick guess so you know if you have enough money. It’s also handy for checking if your math answers make sense and for doing math problems in your head. 

How to Use Our Math Scavenger Hunt Activity

Teach Starter has created a ready-to-print activity that you can use in your classroom today with your students. This teacher-created resource will keep your students moving while refining their rounding and estimation skills. Included with this download, you will find:

• Instructions page
• 20 posters, each with an answer and an equation
• Recording sheet
• Answer key

So, how exactly do you use this activity in your classroom? After printing the posters, hang them in a random order around the room. No need to cut them in half, as they need to be on the same page for the activity. Print a recording sheet for each student and instruct them to start at any location. 

Students will look at the equation and use benchmark decimals to round the problem. A benchmark value is defined as a whole number or written with 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75.

They will write the new equation on their recording sheet and determine the answer. Once they have the estimated sum or differences, they will walk around the room to find the matching answer on a different poster. There, they will find a new equation to calculate. Students will complete the activity this way until they have visited all the cards. 

Download and Print!

Are you ready to use this activity in your classroom with your students? If so, head on over to the green download button to choose from the quick-print PDF file or the editable Google Slides document. If choosing the Google Slides option, please note that you will first be prompted to make a copy of the resource to your personal drive before accessing it.

Consider printing the posters on cardstock and laminating them for durability. 

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Extra Estimation Resources for Your Classroom!

Do you need some more estimation activities for your students? Check out some of our suggested resources below!

[resource:4861917]   [resource:4862174]   [resource:4999454]