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PEMDAS Power-Up!

Lesson Plan

PEMDAS Power-Up!

Students will be able to identify and apply the correct order of operations (PEMDAS/GEMDAS) to solve simple numerical expressions.

Understanding the order of operations is crucial for solving mathematical problems accurately, not just in school but also in real-life situations like budgeting or following recipes. It helps us speak the same mathematical language!

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through a quick review and a fun, interactive challenge.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck, PEMDAS Quick Challenge, and PEMDAS Quick Challenge Answer Key

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's the Order?

3 minutes

  • Display a simple expression like '2 + 3 * 4' on the board.
    - Ask students how they would solve it. Listen for different approaches.
    - Introduce the concept of needing a specific order to get a consistent answer. (Refer to PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck Slide 1-2)

Step 2

Introducing PEMDAS

5 minutes

  • Use the PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck to explain PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction).
    - Emphasize that Multiplication and Division are done from left to right, and the same for Addition and Subtraction.
    - Go through a couple of examples together as a class. (Refer to PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck Slide 3-5)

Step 3

Quick Challenge Activity

5 minutes

  • Distribute the PEMDAS Quick Challenge worksheet.
    - Instruct students to solve the expressions independently using PEMDAS.
    - Circulate to provide support and answer questions.

Step 4

Review & Cool Down

2 minutes

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Slide Deck

2 + 3 * 4 = ?

How would you solve this problem?

What answer do you get?

Greet students and start with a quick engagement. Ask students how they would solve the problem on the slide. Listen for varied answers. This sets the stage for why an order is needed.

Math's Secret Code!

Imagine everyone solved problems differently!

We need a secret code to make sure we all get the same answer every time. This code is called the Order of Operations!

Explain that different orders lead to different answers, and in math, we need one correct answer. Introduce the concept of a

Meet PEMDAS!

Our secret code is PEMDAS!

Parentheses ( ) [ ]
Exponents (like 2²)
Multiplication * and Division / (from left to right)
Addition + and Subtraction - (from left to right)

Introduce PEMDAS. Go through each letter and what it stands for. Emphasize the grouping of M/D and A/S.

PEMDAS in Action! (Example 1)

Let's solve: 7 - 3 + 5 * 2

  1. No Parentheses or Exponents
  2. Multiplication: 5 * 2 = 10
  3. Addition/Subtraction (left to right): 7 - 3 = 4
  4. Addition/Subtraction (left to right): 4 + 10 = 14

So, 7 - 3 + 5 * 2 = 14

Walk through the example step-by-step using PEMDAS. Highlight each step as you do it.

PEMDAS in Action! (Example 2)

Let's solve: (9 - 4) * 3 + 6

  1. Parentheses: (9 - 4) = 5
  2. No Exponents
  3. Multiplication: 5 * 3 = 15
  4. Addition: 15 + 6 = 21

So, (9 - 4) * 3 + 6 = 21

Another example, perhaps one with parentheses, to reinforce the concept. Solve it with student input.

Your Turn: Quick Challenge!

Now it's time to put your PEMDAS skills to the test!

Work on the PEMDAS Quick Challenge worksheet independently.

Transition to the quick challenge activity. Encourage students to use their knowledge of PEMDAS.

PEMDAS Power-Up: You Got This!

Great job on the challenge!

Why do you think it's important to use PEMDAS?

Keep practicing, and you'll be an Order of Operations master!

Use this slide to wrap up the lesson, reviewing answers and reinforcing the importance of PEMDAS. Ask the concluding question.

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Worksheet

PEMDAS Quick Challenge

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Solve each expression using the correct order of operations (PEMDAS). Show your work!

  1. 8 + 4 * 3





  2. 15 - 12 / 4





  3. (7 - 2) * 5





  4. 20 / (2 + 3)





  5. 6 * 2 + 10 / 5





  6. 30 / 5 - 2 * 2





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Answer Key

PEMDAS Quick Challenge Answer Key

Here are the solutions to the PEMDAS Quick Challenge. Remember to follow the order of operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

  1. 8 + 4 * 3

    • Step 1: Multiplication
      4 * 3 = 12
    • Step 2: Addition
      8 + 12 = 20
    • Answer: 20

  2. 15 - 12 / 4

    • Step 1: Division
      12 / 4 = 3
    • Step 2: Subtraction
      15 - 3 = 12
    • Answer: 12

  3. (7 - 2) * 5

    • Step 1: Parentheses
      7 - 2 = 5
    • Step 2: Multiplication
      5 * 5 = 25
    • Answer: 25

  4. 20 / (2 + 3)

    • Step 1: Parentheses
      2 + 3 = 5
    • Step 2: Division
      20 / 5 = 4
    • Answer: 4

  5. 6 * 2 + 10 / 5

    • Step 1: Multiplication
      6 * 2 = 12
    • Step 2: Division
      10 / 5 = 2
    • Step 3: Addition
      12 + 2 = 14
    • Answer: 14

  6. 30 / 5 - 2 * 2

    • Step 1: Division
      30 / 5 = 6
    • Step 2: Multiplication
      2 * 2 = 4
    • Step 3: Subtraction
      6 - 4 = 2
    • Answer: 2
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