Lesson Plan
PEMDAS Power-Up!
Students will be able to apply the order of operations (PEMDAS) to solve numerical expressions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and parentheses.
Understanding the order of operations is crucial for accurately solving mathematical problems, which is a fundamental skill for all future math. This lesson helps students build a strong foundation for more complex equations.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided instruction, collaborative practice, and independent application of PEMDAS.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck, PEMDAS Practice Worksheet, and PEMDAS Practice Worksheet Answer Key
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content and teacher notes.
- Print copies of the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet for each student.
- Have the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet Answer Key ready for quick reference.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is set up and ready to display the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck to introduce the lesson.
- Ask students what they already know about solving math problems with different operations.
- Introduce or review the concept of needing a specific order to solve problems consistently.
Step 2
PEMDAS Explanation
10 minutes
- Go through the PEMDAS Power-Up! Slide Deck slides explaining each letter of 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.
- Work through the example problems on the slides together as a group, verbalizing each step.
Step 3
Guided Practice & Worksheet Introduction
10 minutes
- Distribute the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet.
- Work on the first few problems of the worksheet together as a group, reinforcing the PEMDAS steps.
- Circulate among students, providing individual support and checking for understanding as they begin to work independently or in pairs on the remaining problems.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Review
5 minutes
- Bring the group back together.
- Briefly review one or two problems from the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet that students found challenging.
- Answer any remaining questions.
- Remind students that practice makes perfect when it comes to the order of operations.
Slide Deck
PEMDAS Power-Up!
Unlock the Secret Code to Solving Math Problems!
Welcome students to the PEMDAS Power-Up! Explain that today we'll learn a special rule to solve math problems. Ask them if they've ever had different answers to the same problem and why that might happen.
Why Do We Need an Order?
Imagine a recipe with multiple steps. If you do them in the wrong order, your cake might not turn out right!
Math problems are similar. We need a consistent order to solve them correctly.
Explain that when we have many operations (like +, -, x, ÷) in one problem, we need a special order so everyone gets the same correct answer. Think of it like a recipe!
Meet PEMDAS!
PEMDAS is a special acronym to help us remember the order of operations:
P
E
MD (Multiplication & Division)
AS (Addition & Subtraction)
Introduce PEMDAS as an acronym to remember the order. Show all the letters first, then explain that we'll break down each part. Emphasize it's a 'rule' everyone follows.
P is for Parentheses ()
First things first! Always solve what's inside the parentheses ( ) before anything else.
Example: (5 + 3) x 2
- Solve inside the parentheses: 5 + 3 = 8
- Then multiply: 8 x 2 = 16
Explain 'P' for Parentheses. These are like VIP sections in math; solve whatever is inside them FIRST. Give a simple example and work through it.
E is for Exponents
After parentheses, look for exponents. These tell you to multiply a number by itself a certain number of times.
Example: 3² (read as "3 squared" or "3 to the power of 2")
This means 3 x 3.
- Solve the exponent: 3 x 3 = 9
Explain 'E' for Exponents. For 5th grade, keep it simple with 'squared' (number multiplied by itself) as the primary example, or mention it's about repeated multiplication. If students haven't covered exponents extensively, you can briefly touch on it or focus on the other letters.
MD is for Multiplication & Division
Important! Do multiplication and division from left to right in the problem. They are equally important.
Example 1: 10 ÷ 2 x 3
- Divide first (left to right): 10 ÷ 2 = 5
- Then multiply: 5 x 3 = 15
Example 2: 4 x 5 ÷ 2
- Multiply first (left to right): 4 x 5 = 20
- Then divide: 20 ÷ 2 = 10
Explain 'MD' for Multiplication and Division. Crucially, emphasize that these are done from left to right. Whichever comes first in the problem as you read it from left to right, you do it next.
AS is for Addition & Subtraction
Important! Do addition and subtraction from left to right in the problem. They are equally important.
Example 1: 8 - 3 + 7
- Subtract first (left to right): 8 - 3 = 5
- Then add: 5 + 7 = 12
Example 2: 6 + 4 - 2
- Add first (left to right): 6 + 4 = 10
- Then subtract: 10 - 2 = 8
Explain 'AS' for Addition and Subtraction. Similar to MD, these are done from left to right. Whichever comes first as you read the problem, you do it next.
Let's Practice Together!
Problem: 12 + (6 - 2) x 3
Think PEMDAS!
- Parentheses: (6 - 2) = 4
Now the problem is: 12 + 4 x 3 - Exponents: None!
- MD Multiplication or Division (left to right): 4 x 3 = 12
Now the problem is: 12 + 12 - AS Addition or Subtraction (left to right): 12 + 12 = 24
Answer: 24
Show a full example problem that incorporates multiple operations and walk through it step-by-step, explicitly stating which part of PEMDAS you're applying.
Your Turn! Practice Time!
Now it's time to put your PEMDAS skills to the test!
Work through the problems on your worksheet. Remember to take it one step at a time, following the PEMDAS order.
Don't be afraid to ask for help or work with a partner!
Transition to the worksheet. Explain that students will now try some problems on their own or with a partner. Remind them to think about PEMDAS for each step.
PEMDAS Power-Up: Remember!
- Parentheses first
- Exponents next
- Multiplication and Division (left to right)
- Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Following PEMDAS helps us solve problems correctly every time!
Use this slide to recap the main points and emphasize the importance of PEMDAS. Offer encouragement.
Worksheet
PEMDAS Practice Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Directions: Solve each problem using the correct order of operations. Show your work step-by-step!
-
4 + 8 x 2
-
(15 - 5) ÷ 2
-
3 x (7 + 1) - 6
-
20 ÷ 4 + 3 x 2
-
(9 - 2) x 5 + 10 ÷ 2
-
7 + 3² - 5
Answer Key
PEMDAS Practice Worksheet Answer Key
Directions: Review the step-by-step solutions for each problem.
-
4 + 8 x 2
- Parentheses: None
- Exponents: None
- MD (Multiplication/Division): 8 x 2 = 16
- AS (Addition/Subtraction): 4 + 16 = 20
Answer: 20
-
(15 - 5) ÷ 2
- Parentheses: 15 - 5 = 10
- Exponents: None
- MD (Multiplication/Division): 10 ÷ 2 = 5
- AS (Addition/Subtraction): None
Answer: 5
-
3 x (7 + 1) - 6
- Parentheses: 7 + 1 = 8
- Exponents: None
- MD (Multiplication/Division): 3 x 8 = 24
- AS (Addition/Subtraction): 24 - 6 = 18
Answer: 18
-
20 ÷ 4 + 3 x 2
- Parentheses: None
- Exponents: None
- MD (Multiplication/Division):
- 20 ÷ 4 = 5 (left to right)
- 3 x 2 = 6
- AS (Addition/Subtraction): 5 + 6 = 11
Answer: 11
-
(9 - 2) x 5 + 10 ÷ 2
- Parentheses: 9 - 2 = 7
- Exponents: None
- MD (Multiplication/Division):
- 7 x 5 = 35
- 10 ÷ 2 = 5
- AS (Addition/Subtraction): 35 + 5 = 40
Answer: 40
-
7 + 3² - 5
- Parentheses: None
- Exponents: 3² = 3 x 3 = 9
- MD (Multiplication/Division): None
- AS (Addition/Subtraction):
- 7 + 9 = 16 (left to right)
- 16 - 5 = 11
Answer: 11