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PEMDAS Power-Up

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Lesson Plan

PEMDAS Power-Up

Students will apply the full PEMDAS sequence—including exponents—to solve 15 scaffolded, multi-step expressions with accuracy and confidence.

Including exponents strengthens students’ mastery of arithmetic hierarchy, preparing them for advanced algebra and supporting all learners, including those with IEPs.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct teaching, guided work, and independent practice

Materials

PEMDAS Anchor Chart, PEMDAS Scaffolded Practice Worksheet, Whiteboard and Markers, and PEMDAS Scaffolded Practice Worksheet Answer Key

Prep

Review & Setup

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Number Talk

5 minutes

  • Display three simple expressions on the board (e.g., 7 + 2 × 3; (8 – 3) + 4; 2³ + 1)
  • Ask students to silently evaluate each, then share the order they used aloud
  • Emphasize noticing grouping symbols, exponents, and multiplication/division before addition/subtraction

Step 2

Explicit PEMDAS Instruction

7 minutes

  • Introduce PEMDAS as a sequence: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction
  • Unveil the PEMDAS Anchor Chart and walk through each step with color-coded cues
  • Model solving one example step-by-step, thinking aloud for clarity

Step 3

Guided Practice

7 minutes

  • Distribute the PEMDAS Scaffolded Practice Worksheet
  • Solve problems #1 and #2 together: call on volunteers to identify each operation in order
  • Encourage partners to talk through steps and use the anchor chart as reference

Step 4

Independent Practice

8 minutes

Step 5

Cool-Down & Reflection

3 minutes

  • Ask students to share one step they found easy and one step that required extra thought
  • Pose an exit problem on the board (e.g., 4 + 5 × (2 + 3)) for students to solve mentally
  • Collect quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down feedback on confidence with PEMDAS
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Slide Deck

PEMDAS Power-Up

30-Minute Lesson | Grade 5 | Tier 1

Objective: Apply PEMDAS (including exponents) to solve 15 multi-step expressions.

Welcome students! Introduce yourself and explain we’ll master the order of operations today. State the objective: By the end of the session, students will accurately solve multi-step expressions using PEMDAS, including exponents. Highlight key materials: anchor chart, worksheet, answer key.

Warm-Up: Number Talk

• 7 + 2 × 3
• (8 – 3) + 4
• 2³ + 1

  1. Think silently and solve.
  2. Share the order of operations you used.

Launch the Number Talk. Display each expression, give students 30 seconds to think silently, then ask volunteers to share the sequence they used. Emphasize noticing parentheses, exponents, and the multiplication/division step.

PEMDAS Anchor Chart

P – Parentheses ( )
E – Exponents (e.g., 2³)
M – Multiplication × / D – Division ÷
A – Addition + / S – Subtraction –

Always work left to right for MD and AS.

Introduce the anchor chart. Point to each step in order with color-coded cues. Invite students to reference this chart throughout.

Model Example

Solve: 2³ + (5 – 2) × 3

  1. Parentheses: 5 – 2 = 3
  2. Exponents: 2³ = 8
  3. Multiplication: 3 × 3 = 9
  4. Addition: 8 + 9 = 17

Answer: 17

Model one example that includes an exponent. Think aloud as you identify parentheses, then exponents, then multiplication, then addition. Write each step on the board so students see the process.

Guided Practice

• Problems 1 & 2 on your worksheet
• Identify each step using PEMDAS (including exponent step)
• Use the anchor chart for reference
• Share your thinking with a partner

Distribute the worksheet. Work through problems #1 and #2 together. Call on volunteers to name the next operation. Encourage discussion with partners.

Independent Practice

• Solve problems 3–15 on the worksheet
• Apply each PEMDAS step in order, including exponents
• Check your work using the answer key

Students work individually on problems #3–15. Circulate to support students, especially those with IEPs. Prompt with questions like “What comes next? Why?” Use the answer key for immediate feedback.

Cool-Down & Reflection

Exit Problem: 4 + 5 × (2 + 3)

  1. Solve mentally
  2. Thumbs-Up if confident, Thumbs-Down if you need more practice

Wrap up with reflection. Ask students to name one easy step and one challenging step. Display the exit problem and have them solve mentally. Collect thumbs-up/thumbs-down on their confidence.

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Worksheet

PEMDAS Scaffolded Practice

Solve each expression using the full order of operations (PEMDAS), including exponents. Show all your steps clearly. You can refer to the PEMDAS Anchor Chart as needed.

Problems 1–5: Two-Step Expressions (Including Exponents)

  1. 32 + 5





  2. 7 + 23





  3. 6 – 22





  4. 42 + 1





  5. 2 + 52





Problems 6–10: Three-Step Expressions (With Parentheses & Exponents)

  1. (1 + 4)2 – 3










  2. 2 × (3 + 1)2










  3. (5 – 2)3 + 1










  4. 4 + (22 × 3)










  5. (3 + 2)2 + 6










Problems 11–15: Multi-Parentheses, Exponents & Mixed Operations

  1. 22 + (5 – 3) × 4 – 1











  2. (4 + 2)2 ÷ (3 – 1) + 2











  3. 3 × (2 + 1)2 – (1 + 2)











  4. (5 – 1) × (2 + 1)2 ÷ 3











  5. 6 ÷ (2 + 1) + (1 + 2)2











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Answer Key

PEMDAS Practice Answers

(Answer Key for PEMDAS Scaffolded Practice Worksheet)

Problems 1–5: Two-Step Expressions (Including Exponents)

1. 32 + 5

  1. Exponents: 32 = 9
  2. Addition: 9 + 5 = 14
    Answer: 14

2. 7 + 23

  1. Exponents: 23 = 8
  2. Addition: 7 + 8 = 15
    Answer: 15

3. 6 – 22

  1. Exponents: 22 = 4
  2. Subtraction: 6 – 4 = 2
    Answer: 2

4. 42 + 1

  1. Exponents: 42 = 16
  2. Addition: 16 + 1 = 17
    Answer: 17

5. 2 + 52

  1. Exponents: 52 = 25
  2. Addition: 2 + 25 = 27
    Answer: 27

Problems 6–10: Three-Step Expressions (With Parentheses & Exponents)

6. (1 + 4)2 – 3

  1. Parentheses: 1 + 4 = 5
  2. Exponents: 52 = 25
  3. Subtraction: 25 – 3 = 22
    Answer: 22

7. 2 × (3 + 1)2

  1. Parentheses: 3 + 1 = 4
  2. Exponents: 42 = 16
  3. Multiplication: 2 × 16 = 32
    Answer: 32

8. (5 – 2)3 + 1

  1. Parentheses: 5 – 2 = 3
  2. Exponents: 33 = 27
  3. Addition: 27 + 1 = 28
    Answer: 28

9. 4 + (22 × 3)

  1. Exponents: 22 = 4
  2. Multiplication: 4 × 3 = 12
  3. Addition: 4 + 12 = 16
    Answer: 16

10. (3 + 2)2 + 6

  1. Parentheses: 3 + 2 = 5
  2. Exponents: 52 = 25
  3. Addition: 25 + 6 = 31
    Answer: 31

Problems 11–15: Multi-Parentheses, Exponents & Mixed Operations

11. 22 + (5 – 3) × 4 – 1

  1. Exponents: 22 = 4
  2. Parentheses: 5 – 3 = 2
  3. Multiplication: 2 × 4 = 8
  4. Addition & Subtraction (left→right): 4 + 8 = 12 → 12 – 1 = 11
    Answer: 11

12. (4 + 2)2 ÷ (3 – 1) + 2

  1. Parentheses: 4 + 2 = 6; 3 – 1 = 2
  2. Exponents: 62 = 36
  3. Division: 36 ÷ 2 = 18
  4. Addition: 18 + 2 = 20
    Answer: 20

13. 3 × (2 + 1)2 – (1 + 2)

  1. Parentheses: 2 + 1 = 3; 1 + 2 = 3
  2. Exponents: 32 = 9
  3. Multiplication: 3 × 9 = 27
  4. Subtraction: 27 – 3 = 24
    Answer: 24

14. (5 – 1) × (2 + 1)2 ÷ 3

  1. Parentheses: 5 – 1 = 4; 2 + 1 = 3
  2. Exponents: 32 = 9
  3. Multiplication: 4 × 9 = 36
  4. Division: 36 ÷ 3 = 12
    Answer: 12

15. 6 ÷ (2 + 1) + (1 + 2)2

  1. Parentheses: 2 + 1 = 3; 1 + 2 = 3
  2. Division: 6 ÷ 3 = 2
  3. Exponents: 32 = 9
  4. Addition: 2 + 9 = 11
    Answer: 11
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