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PEMDAS Power-Up

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cristal.barko

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

PEMDAS Power-Up Plan

By the end of this 30-minute lesson, students will use the PEMDAS acronym to evaluate numerical expressions correctly and demonstrate mastery on a quick 3-problem check.

Mastering the order of operations prevents calculation errors and lays a foundation for algebra and higher-level math reasoning.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Introduce PEMDAS, model examples, guided then independent practice.

Materials

  • PEMDAS Anchor Chart Poster, - PEMDAS Practice Worksheet, - PEMDAS Quiz Quick Check, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Student Individual Whiteboards and Dry-Erase Markers

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the PEMDAS Anchor Chart Poster and note key examples.
  • Print enough copies of the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet for all students.
  • Prepare the PEMDAS Quiz Quick Check and set a 4-minute timer.
  • Arrange desks for partner work and clear space on the whiteboard.

Step 1

Warm-Up

3 minutes

  • Pose a quick expression (e.g., 4 + 3 × 2) and ask students to solve mentally.
  • Highlight that a special order can change the result.
  • Record student answers on the whiteboard.
  • Differentiation: Offer one-step expressions for students needing extra support.

Step 2

Direct Instruction

10 minutes

  • Display the PEMDAS Anchor Chart Poster.
  • Explain each step: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division (L→R), Addition & Subtraction (L→R).
  • Model two example problems aloud, writing each operation step.
  • Ask, “Why do we divide before adding here?” to check understanding.
  • Differentiation: Challenge advanced students with nested parentheses examples.

Step 3

Guided Practice

8 minutes

  • Distribute the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet and pair students.
  • Solve the first 4 problems together, guiding each PEMDAS step.
  • Circulate to check student work and correct misconceptions.
  • Provide targeted hints for students struggling with specific operations.
  • Assessment Note: Jot down common errors for tomorrow’s reteach.

Step 4

Independent Practice

5 minutes

  • Students complete the next 4 problems individually on the worksheet.
  • Encourage use of scratch paper to list each operation in order.
  • Teacher offers one-on-one support to any student who needs it.

Step 5

Assessment & Closure

4 minutes

  • Administer the PEMDAS Quiz Quick Check (3 problems) under a 4-minute timer.
  • Collect and review responses to gauge mastery and spot misconceptions.
  • Invite a few students to share one tip for remembering PEMDAS.
  • Summarize key takeaways and preview next lesson on multi-step expressions.
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Slide Deck

PEMDAS Power-Up

Master the order of operations with the PEMDAS acronym!

Use the brand gradient background: top #A3D39C, middle #7FC97F, bottom #5DA25E. Welcome students, introduce topic: order of operations. “Today we’re powering up our math with PEMDAS!”

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the PEMDAS acronym and its order of operations
  • Evaluate numerical expressions accurately using PEMDAS

Read each objective aloud and connect to why it matters. Emphasize accuracy builds math confidence.

PEMDAS Anchor Chart

P: Parentheses
E: Exponents
M: Multiplication
D: Division
A: Addition
S: Subtraction

(Multiplication & Division, Addition & Subtraction go Left to Right.)

Refer to the PEMDAS Anchor Chart Poster for examples.

Display and hold up the PEMDAS Anchor Chart Poster. Point to each letter and explain.

Example 1: Simple Expression

4 + 3 × 2

Step 1: Multiply (3 × 2 = 6)
Step 2: Add (4 + 6 = 10)

Answer: 10

Reveal each step one at a time. Ask students: “Why multiply before adding?”

Example 2: Nested Operations

(6 − 2) × 5 + 3²

Step 1: Parentheses (6 − 2 = 4)
Step 2: Exponent (3² = 9)
Step 3: Multiplication (4 × 5 = 20)
Step 4: Addition (20 + 9 = 29)

Answer: 29

Work through each step. Invite a volunteer to complete Step 3 on the board.

Guided Practice

Pair up and solve these together using your PEMDAS Practice Worksheet:

  1. 8 ÷ 2 + 5 × 3
  2. 7 + (4 × 2) − 3

Distribute the PEMDAS Practice Worksheet. Circulate and prompt pairs to talk through each step.

Independent Practice

Work on your own:

  1. (5 + 3) × 2 − 4
  2. 2³ + 6 ÷ 3

Encourage students to write each step on scratch paper. Offer support as needed.

Quick-Check Quiz & Exit Ticket

Complete the following 3 problems in 4 minutes:

  1. 9 − 3 + 2 × 4
  2. (8 ÷ 2) + 3²
  3. 5 + 6 × (2 + 1)

Hand in your exit ticket when you’re done.

Set a 4-minute timer. Collect tickets to assess mastery and plan reteach.

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Activity

PEMDAS Power-Up Anchor Chart

P: Parentheses ( )
– Do all operations inside parentheses first.

E: Exponents (², ³, √ )
– Evaluate powers and roots next.

M → D: Multiplication & Division (left → right)
– Perform multiplication and division in the order they appear from left to right.

A → S: Addition & Subtraction (left → right)
– Perform addition and subtraction in the order they appear from left to right.

Worked Examples

  1. 4 + 3 × 2
      Step 1: Multiply → 3 × 2 = 6
      Step 2: Add → 4 + 6 = 10
    Answer: 10

  2. (6 − 2) × 5 + 3²
      Step 1: Parentheses → 6 − 2 = 4
      Step 2: Exponent → 3² = 9
      Step 3: Multiplication → 4 × 5 = 20
      Step 4: Addition → 20 + 9 = 29
    Answer: 29

Keep this chart visible during class to help you remember the order of operations every time you solve expressions!

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Worksheet

PEMDAS Practice Worksheet

Follow the order of operations (PEMDAS) to evaluate each expression.
For Problems 1–4, show every step (P → E → M/D → A/S) in the space provided.
For Problems 5–8, solve independently and record your final answer.

Guided Practice (Show Your Work)

  1. 8 ÷ 2 + 5 × 3
    Work step-by-step:












    Answer: ____________________
  2. 7 + (4 × 2) − 3
    Work step-by-step:












    Answer: ____________________
  3. (6 − 1) + 4 × 2
    Work step-by-step:












    Answer: ____________________
  4. 9 − 3 + 2 × (1 + 1)
    Work step-by-step:












    Answer: ____________________

Independent Practice

  1. (5 + 3) × 2 − 4
    Answer: ____________________



  2. 2³ + 6 ÷ 3
    Answer: ____________________



  3. 5 + 6 × (2 + 1)
    Answer: ____________________



  4. 9 − (4 ÷ 2) + 7
    Answer: ____________________



Good luck! Remember: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (L→R), Addition/Subtraction (L→R).

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Quiz

PEMDAS Quick Check

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Answer Key

PEMDAS Answer Key

This key provides detailed, step-by-step solutions for both the Practice Worksheet and the Quick-Check Quiz. Use it to guide your grading and to help students see the order of operations in action.

Worksheet Solutions

Guided Practice (Show Your Work)

1) 8 ÷ 2 + 5 × 3

  • Step 1 (Division, M/D L→R): 8 ÷ 2 = 4
  • Step 2 (Multiplication): 5 × 3 = 15
  • Step 3 (Addition): 4 + 15 = 19
    Answer: 19

2) 7 + (4 × 2) − 3

  • Step 1 (Parentheses): 4 × 2 = 8
  • Step 2 (Addition): 7 + 8 = 15
  • Step 3 (Subtraction): 15 − 3 = 12
    Answer: 12

3) (6 − 1) + 4 × 2

  • Step 1 (Parentheses): 6 − 1 = 5
  • Step 2 (Multiplication): 4 × 2 = 8
  • Step 3 (Addition): 5 + 8 = 13
    Answer: 13

4) 9 − 3 + 2 × (1 + 1)

  • Step 1 (Parentheses): 1 + 1 = 2
  • Step 2 (Multiplication): 2 × 2 = 4
  • Step 3 (Subtraction then Addition, A/S L→R): 9 − 3 = 6 → 6 + 4 = 10
    Answer: 10

Independent Practice (Final Answers)

5) (5 + 3) × 2 − 4
Step 1 (Parentheses): 5 + 3 = 8;
Step 2 (Multiplication): 8 × 2 = 16;
Step 3 (Subtraction): 16 − 4 = 12
Answer: 12

6) 2³ + 6 ÷ 3
Step 1 (Exponent): 2³ = 8;
Step 2 (Division): 6 ÷ 3 = 2;
Step 3 (Addition): 8 + 2 = 10
Answer: 10

7) 5 + 6 × (2 + 1)
Step 1 (Parentheses): 2 + 1 = 3;
Step 2 (Multiplication): 6 × 3 = 18;
Step 3 (Addition): 5 + 18 = 23
Answer: 23

8) 9 − (4 ÷ 2) + 7
Step 1 (Parentheses): 4 ÷ 2 = 2;
Step 2 (Subtraction then Addition): 9 − 2 = 7 → 7 + 7 = 14
Answer: 14

Quick-Check Quiz Solutions

1) 9 − 3 + 2 × 4

  • Step 1 (Multiplication): 2 × 4 = 8
  • Step 2 (Subtraction then Addition): 9 − 3 = 6 → 6 + 8 = 14
    Answer: 14

2) (8 ÷ 2) + 3²

  • Step 1 (Parentheses): 8 ÷ 2 = 4
  • Step 2 (Exponent): 3² = 9
  • Step 3 (Addition): 4 + 9 = 13
    Answer: 13

3) 5 + 6 × (2 + 1)

  • Step 1 (Parentheses): 2 + 1 = 3
  • Step 2 (Multiplication): 6 × 3 = 18
  • Step 3 (Addition): 5 + 18 = 23
    Answer: 23

Use these fully worked solutions to confirm student work, identify common misconceptions, and plan targeted reteaching.

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