Free printable math worksheets can be a useful addition to any math program for homeschoolers or teachers.
Finding Free Printable Math Worksheets
Math printables are widely available online. A search at Google, Yahoo, or any other search engine will turn up thousands of prospects. Most sites allow users to search for worksheets by:
- Age or grade level
- Theme
- Skill emphasized
Some of the best sites will even allow users to create their own worksheets by entering data in a wizard, template, or generator.
Using Math Worksheets
It is important to realize that worksheets should not be seen as an entire math program. Math worksheets do provide needed practice and reinforcement of learned skills. Since they typically focus on one type of math skill or operation, worksheets can help build speed in math drills. Free worksheets can also offer teachers or parents a helpful tool for testing a child's math knowledge, retention, or readiness.
In addition to worksheets, children should also be exposed to hands-on manipulatives, such as games and flashcards. Most experts also agree that children need a solid math textbook.
It is important to review the copyright rules and terms for each site before you use the worksheets. Most sites stipulate that worksheets may be used for one-time home or school use. Some allow a set number of duplicates to be made, while others require a paid membership for multiple use.
Math-Drills.com
As the name suggests, Math-Drills.com offers a multitude of worksheets covering basic math facts. The site boasts over 6000 free math worksheets. Beyond the main categories of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, the site also offers worksheets on:
- Integers
- Fractions
- Algebra
- Decimals
- Order of Operations
- Geometry
- Number Sense
Seasonal thematic worksheets are also offered, presenting math facts in fun subjects such as:
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Valentine's Day
- St. Patrick's Day
- Christmas
ABC Teach
In addition to its members-only worksheet generators, ABC Teach also offers many free printable math worksheets. These worksheets range from shape and pattern recognition for preschoolers and kindergartners and addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication for older students, the site also offers practice in more advanced math skills, such as:
- Money
- Measurement
- Fractions and decimals
- Geometry
- Place Value
- Time
- Graphing
- Problem Solving
School Express
School Express is another site featuring free printable math worksheets. The site offers extensive practice in the basic skills. For example, addition is further divided into:
- 2-digit addition with carrying
- 3-digit addition with carrying
- 3-digit addition without carrying
- Addition 1-10
- Addition 11-19
- Story problems
Other skills covered include: subtraction, division, multiplication, telling time, counting money, rounding, and skip counting.
Like many other sites, School Express also offers a paid membership with added features.
Soft Schools
Despite a no-frills presentation, Soft Schools is a favorite because it offers a free worksheet generator. This allows parents or teachers to set the terms and skills presented. Uses are able to stipulate the maximum and minimum numbers in the problems, the skills emphasized, the number of problems, the instructions, and even the fonts. The worksheet generator is available in the following areas:
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Rounding
- Math puzzles
- Place value
- Averages
