Order of Operations is one of my favorite skills to teach in 5th Grade. It’s organized, follows rules, and has a final answer.
I like to break up this unit and teach it in 3 parts, slowly introducing each grouping symbol one at a time: parentheses, brackets, and then braces.
In the classroom, I provide students with printable notes pages to introduce each mini-lesson. We work through example problems together on a smartboard, and then students break off to practice independently.
For distance learning (or in a classroom with technology), I’ve added a digital version to my printable Order of Operations activities. To make things easier for teachers, I’ve also recorded videos that students can view within each set of notes and activities. They can click on a slide and view an instructional video where I take them step-by-step through solving various expressions. I explain both the steps for solving it as well as the technical aspects of completing the slides. This is also a great resource for parents who may be struggling to help their students at home.
Each of the 3 Lessons Include:
- Instructional page
- Two detailed examples
- Screen videos that instruct students step-by-step through the two examples (these are also great for parents who are helping their children at home)
- One video shows students how to solve the problems using their keyboard
- One video shows students how to use the symbols in the student tools area of the
- practice pages (2 sets – 8 questions each)
- morning work pages (2 sets – 8 questions each)
- homework pages (2 sets – 8 questions each)
Instructional Video Example
Students will be able to watch tutorial videos like the one posted below.
Assessment
To check on student progress, I give students exit tickets throughout the unit. The exit ticket is just one order of operations expression that students solve in a Google Form. It’s a quick and easy way for me to assess mastery and create flexible groups.
Whether you’re using instructing in the classroom with or without technology, or you’re teaching virtually, make your Order of Operations unit simple and easy for students to understand.
Need a Printable and/or Digital Version?
See all options HERE.
