Write "Decimal Decor" on the cover of a manila folder, and add a few winter or Christmas tree images. Draw a pine tree about 3 inches tall. Photocopy the tree onto green paper, creating 12 little trees. Cut out the trees. Write 12 different decimal values on the treetops, such as 0.8, 0.3, 0.56 and 0.48. Write the same value in the middle section of the tree using a fraction, such as 8/10, 3/10, 56/100 and 48/100. Write the same value on the bottom section of the tree using words, such as eight tenths, three tenths, fifty-six hundredths and forty-eight hundredths. Cut off the bottom section of each tree and glue six to each side of the inside of the file folder. Laminate the folder and the rest of the trees. Place the tree tops in a baggie. Have students place the correct tree top on the matching tree bottom.
Write "Outer Space Race" on the cover of a manila folder and add some outer space images. Draw an alien about 3 inches tall on paper. Photocopy the alien onto green paper, creating 12 aliens. Cut out the green aliens. Write 12 different multiplication problems on the aliens without the answer provided. Draw a spaceship on paper. Photocopy the spaceships onto blue paper, creating 12 spaceships. Cut out the blue spaceships. Write the 12 correct products on the spaceships. Glue six aliens to each side of the inside of the file folder. Laminate the folder and the spaceships. Have students place the correct spaceship on the matching alien.
Type 12 mental math equations appropriate for your grade level in a computer document. Place them in four rows of three columns. Repeat with 12 new equations on another page. Type the correct answers to the equations, placing the answer in the same position as the corresponding equation on a new page. Repeat with the answers for the second sheet of equations. Glue the two pages of equations on each side of a manila folder, lining the bottom of the paper with the bottom of the folder. Laminate the folder. Lay the folder on a stack of newspapers. Cut three sides of each equation, creating a flap to open. Glue the answer sheets to the outside of the folder, lining up each correct answer with the equation in the window. Glue another manila folder to the outside of the game to provide extra support. Decorate the cover to create interest.
Write "Number Newts" on the cover of a manila folder, and add pictures or drawings of newts and their habitat images. Draw a newt about 3 inches tall on a piece of paper. Photocopy the newt on green paper, creating 12 newts. Cut out the green newts. Write 12 different numbers on the newts. Glue six numbered newts to each side of the inside of the file folder. Laminate the folder. Divide an early elementary class into partnerships. Give each team two dice and 24 markers. Tell the pupils to roll one or two dice and place a marker on the newt whose number matches the numbers on the dice. Each newt can hold up to two markers, then it is considered full. If a player rolls a number matching a full newt, he loses his turn. Play continues until the first player runs out of markers. That player is the winner.