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Order Up! PEMDAS

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Lesson Plan

Order Up! PEMDAS

Students will be able to correctly apply the Order of Operations (PEMDAS) to solve multi-step mathematical expressions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, parentheses, and exponents.

Understanding the order of operations ensures that everyone solves math problems consistently and arrives at the same correct answer. It's like a universal language for math!

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive lecture, guided practice, and independent application.

Materials

PEMDAS Slide Deck, PEMDAS Warm-Up, PEMDAS Practice Worksheet, and PEMDAS Answer Key

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Math Mystery (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Distribute the PEMDAS Warm-Up to students.
    - Instruct students to solve the two expressions individually, emphasizing that there might be more than one way to get an answer.
    - After 3 minutes, ask students to share their answers and methods. Acknowledge different answers without immediately correcting them. This sets the stage for why order matters.

Step 2

Introduction to PEMDAS (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present the PEMDAS Slide Deck starting with Slide 1.
    - Explain that the warm-up showed how different orders lead to different answers, highlighting the need for a consistent order.
    - Introduce PEMDAS as an acronym: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right).
    - Go through each letter of PEMDAS using the slide deck, explaining its meaning and providing simple examples. Emphasize that multiplication and division are done from left to right, and the same for addition and subtraction.

Step 3

Guided Practice (8 minutes)

8 minutes

  • Display a few example problems from the PEMDAS Slide Deck (e.g., Slides 6-8).
    - Work through each problem step-by-step as a class, verbally calling out which PEMDAS operation is being performed.
    - Encourage students to participate by asking what the next step should be. Use the script to guide the discussion and clarify any confusion.

Step 4

Independent Practice: Worksheet Wizards (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Distribute the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to complete the worksheet independently, applying the PEMDAS rules they just learned.
    - Circulate around the room to provide individual support and answer questions. Encourage students to show their work.
    - Collect the worksheets at the end of the activity for review. The PEMDAS Answer Key can be used for quick grading or student self-check later.
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Slide Deck

Math Mysteries!

Do you ever get different answers from your friends on the same math problem?

Today, we'll learn a secret code to make sure we all get the right answer, every time!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of solving math problems. Ask them if they ever solved a problem and got a different answer than a friend. This leads into the need for an 'order.'

Why Order Matters!

Imagine playing a game without rules... it would be chaos!

Math also has rules to keep things fair and make sure everyone gets the same answer. That's where PEMDAS comes in!

Introduce the idea that math needs rules, just like games. Explain that PEMDAS is a set of rules for solving equations.

Meet PEMDAS!

PEMDAS is a special acronym that helps us remember the order of operations.

  • P
  • E
  • M
  • D
  • A
  • S

Introduce PEMDAS as an acronym. Explain that each letter stands for a step in solving a math problem.

P is for Parentheses ()

Always solve anything inside Parentheses first!

Example: (2 + 3) * 4

What's inside the parentheses?

Explain 'P' for Parentheses. Give a simple example.

E is for Exponents

Next, solve any Exponents.

What's an exponent? It tells you to multiply a number by itself a certain number of times.

Example: 5^2 (This means 5 * 5)

Can you think of another example?

Explain 'E' for Exponents. Briefly explain what exponents are and provide an example.

MD is for Multiply & Divide

After Parentheses and Exponents, you Multiply and Divide.

IMPORTANT: You do these from left to right in the problem, whichever comes first!

Example: 10 ÷ 2 * 3

Which comes first, division or multiplication?

Explain 'MD' for Multiplication and Division. Emphasize left to right.

AS is for Add & Subtract

Finally, you Add and Subtract.

IMPORTANT: Just like Multiplication and Division, you do these from left to right in the problem, whichever comes first!

Example: 8 - 3 + 5

Which comes first, subtraction or addition?

Explain 'AS' for Addition and Subtraction. Emphasize left to right.

PEMDAS: Step-by-Step

  1. Parentheses
  2. Exponents
  3. Multiplication or Division (from left to right)
  4. Addition or Subtraction (from left to right)

Review all steps with a quick summary slide.

Let's Practice Together!

Solve: 18 ÷ (4 + 2) * 3

  1. Parentheses: (4 + 2) = 6
  2. Exponents: None
  3. Multiply or Divide (left to right): 18 ÷ 6 = 3, then 3 * 3 = 9
  4. Add or Subtract (left to right): None

Answer: 9

Present a guided practice problem. Walk through it step by step with student input.

Another One!

Solve: 5 + 2 * 3^2 - 1

  1. Parentheses: None
  2. Exponents: 3^2 = 9
  3. Multiply or Divide (left to right): 2 * 9 = 18
  4. Add or Subtract (left to right): 5 + 18 = 23, then 23 - 1 = 22

Answer: 22

Another guided practice problem.

Your Turn: Worksheet Wizards!

Now it's time to show what you've learned!

Complete the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet on your own. Remember to take it one step at a time!

Transition to independent practice with the worksheet.

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Warm Up

PEMDAS Warm-Up

Welcome! Let's get our brains warmed up with a couple of math problems. Try to solve these, and don't worry too much about if there's only one way to do it – just do your best!

  1. Solve: 5 + 2 * 3





  2. Solve: 12 - 6 ÷ 2





Remember to show your work if you can! We'll discuss these together shortly.

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Worksheet

PEMDAS Practice Worksheet

Great job learning about the Order of Operations! Now it's your turn to be a PEMDAS pro. Solve the following problems using the correct order. Show your work step-by-step!

  1. 4 + 6 * 2










  2. (10 - 4) ÷ 2










  3. 3 * (5 + 1) - 7










  4. 20 ÷ 5 + 3^2










  5. (7 + 1) * 2 - 4 ÷ 2










  6. 15 - 3 * 2 + 8










Challenge Problem!

  1. 2 * (9 - 4)^2 + 10 ÷ 5













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Answer Key

PEMDAS Answer Key

PEMDAS Warm-Up Answers

  1. Solve: 5 + 2 * 3

    • Step 1: Multiplication. According to PEMDAS, multiplication comes before addition.
      2 * 3 = 6
    • Step 2: Addition. Now add the remaining numbers.
      5 + 6 = 11
    • Answer: 11

  2. Solve: 12 - 6 ÷ 2

    • Step 1: Division. According to PEMDAS, division comes before subtraction.
      6 ÷ 2 = 3
    • Step 2: Subtraction. Now subtract the remaining numbers.
      12 - 3 = 9
    • Answer: 9

PEMDAS Practice Worksheet Answers

  1. 4 + 6 * 2

    • Step 1: Multiplication. 6 * 2 = 12
    • Step 2: Addition. 4 + 12 = 16
    • Answer: 16

  2. (10 - 4) ÷ 2

    • Step 1: Parentheses. (10 - 4) = 6
    • Step 2: Division. 6 ÷ 2 = 3
    • Answer: 3

  3. 3 * (5 + 1) - 7

    • Step 1: Parentheses. (5 + 1) = 6
    • Step 2: Multiplication. 3 * 6 = 18
    • Step 3: Subtraction. 18 - 7 = 11
    • Answer: 11

  4. 20 ÷ 5 + 3^2

    • Step 1: Exponents. 3^2 = 3 * 3 = 9
    • Step 2: Division. 20 ÷ 5 = 4
    • Step 3: Addition. 4 + 9 = 13
    • Answer: 13

  5. (7 + 1) * 2 - 4 ÷ 2

    • Step 1: Parentheses. (7 + 1) = 8
    • Step 2: Multiplication/Division (left to right). 8 * 2 = 16, then 4 ÷ 2 = 2
    • Step 3: Subtraction. 16 - 2 = 14
    • Answer: 14

  6. 15 - 3 * 2 + 8

    • Step 1: Multiplication. 3 * 2 = 6
    • Step 2: Subtraction/Addition (left to right). 15 - 6 = 9, then 9 + 8 = 17
    • Answer: 17

Challenge Problem Answer!

  1. 2 * (9 - 4)^2 + 10 ÷ 5
    • Step 1: Parentheses. (9 - 4) = 5
    • Step 2: Exponents. 5^2 = 25
    • Step 3: Multiplication/Division (left to right). 2 * 25 = 50, then 10 ÷ 5 = 2
    • Step 4: Addition. 50 + 2 = 52
    • Answer: 52
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