PEMDAS Power-Up Lesson Plan Teacher Guide PEMDAS Power-Up
Leveling up 5th Grade Order of Operations
Duration 30 MIN
Learning Objective
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.
The "Why"
Mastering the order of operations prevents calculation errors and lays a foundation for algebra and higher-level math reasoning.
Materials
PEMDAS Anchor Chart
Practice Worksheet
Quick Check Quiz
Whiteboard & Markers
Individual whiteboards
Teacher Preparation
Review Anchor Chart examples.
Print Practice Worksheets.
Set 4-minute timer for Quiz.
Arrange desks for partner work.
Lesson Flow
3m
Warm-Up: The Problem with Order
Pose 4 + 3 × 2 and ask for mental solutions. Highlight how different orders lead to different results. Record student answers on the board. Diff: Use one-step expressions for students needing support.
10m
Direct Instruction: Meeting PEMDAS
Display Anchor Chart. Explain each step: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication & Division (L→R), Addition & Subtraction (L→R). Model two examples aloud, writing each operation step. Ask, "Why do we divide before adding here?" Diff: Challenge advanced students with nested parentheses.
8m
Guided Practice: Team Up
Distribute Worksheet. Pair students. Solve first 4 problems together. Circulate and provide targeted hints. Jot down common errors for future reteaching.
5m
Independent Practice: Solo Mission
Students complete problems 5-8 individually. Encourage listing PEMDAS steps on scratch paper. Offer 1-on-1 support where needed.
4m
Closure & Quick Check
Administer the Quiz (4-min timer). Collect and review responses. Invite tips for remembering PEMDAS. Preview next lesson on multi-step expressions.
PEMDAS Power-Up Slides Deck Presentation Level 1: Order of Operations
PEMDAS
Power-Up
Master the order of operations and level up your math skills!
Learning Objectives
1
Understand the **PEMDAS acronym** and its order of operations.
2
**Evaluate** numerical expressions accurately using PEMDAS.
The PEMDAS Code
P
Parentheses
Do these first!
E
Exponents
Powers & Roots
M & D
Multiply & Divide
Left to Right
A & S
Add & Subtract
Left to Right
"Multiplication & Division and Addition & Subtraction go **Left to Right!**"
Example 1: Simple
4 + 3 × 2
1
Multiply: 3 × 2 = 6
2
Add: 4 + 6 = 10
Answer: 10
Example 2: Nested
(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
Final Answer: 29
Team Up!
8 MINUTES
Pair up and solve these on your worksheet:
Problem #1
8 ÷ 2 + 5 × 3
Problem #2
7 + (4 × 2) − 3
Solo Mission
5 MINUTES
Evaluate these on your own:
Problem #3
(5 + 3) × 2 − 4
Problem #4
2³ + 6 ÷ 3
Quick Check
& Exit Ticket
4:00
1
9 − 3 + 2 × 4
2
(8 ÷ 2) + 3²
3
5 + 6 × (2 + 1)
Hand in your exit ticket when finished!
PEMDAS Power-Up Anchor Chart Poster Math Level Up
PEMDAS POWER-UP
The Order of Operations
P
Parentheses ( )
Do all operations inside first!
E
Exponents x²
Evaluate powers and roots next.
M/D
Multiplication & Division
Left to Right
× ÷
A/S
Addition & Subtraction
Left to Right
+ −
Worked Examples
4 + 3 × 2
1. Multiply: 3 × 2 = 6
2. Add: 4 + 6 = 10
Answer: 10
(6 − 2) × 5 + 3²
1. Parentheses: 6 − 2 = 4
2. Exponent: 3² = 9
3. Multiply: 4 × 5 = 20
4. Add: 20 + 9 = 29
Answer: 29
Keep this visible to level up your accuracy!
PEMDAS Power-Up Practice Worksheet Student Handout PEMDAS PRACTICE
Level 1: Basic Operations
Name:
Date:
P Parentheses E Exponents M/D Mult/Div (L→R) A/S Add/Sub (L→R)
Show Your Work!
G
Guided Practice: Step-by-Step
8 ÷ 2 + 5 × 3
Show Steps Here
Answer:
7 + (4 × 2) − 3
Show Steps Here
Answer:
(6 − 1) + 4 × 2
Show Steps Here
Answer:
9 − 3 + 2 × (1 + 1)
Show Steps Here
Answer:
I
Solo Mission: Independent Practice
(5 + 3) × 2 − 4
Answer:
2³ + 6 ÷ 3
Answer:
5 + 6 × (2 + 1)
Answer:
9 − (4 ÷ 2) + 7
Answer:
Bonus: Explain PEMDAS to a friend to earn extra accuracy points!
PEMDAS Power-Up Quick Check Exit Ticket PEMDAS QUICK CHECK
Level Mastery: 4-Minute Challenge
Name:
Date:
4:00
1
Complete the following expression and show your work:
9 − 3 + 2 × 4
Workspace
Final Answer:
2
Evaluate the expression. Show each step in your answer:
(8 ÷ 2) + 3²
Workspace
Final Answer:
3
Use the order of operations to solve:
5 + 6 × (2 + 1)
Workspace
Final Answer:
Power-Up Complete
PEMDAS Power-Up Answer Key Teacher Resource ANSWER KEY
PEMDAS Power-Up Lesson Suite
Solutions
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 visualize the "Power-Up" flow of operations.
Worksheet: Guided
8 ÷ 2 + 5 × 3
• Div (L→R): 8 ÷ 2 = 4
• Mult: 5 × 3 = 15
• Add: 4 + 15 = 19
Answer: 19
7 + (4 × 2) − 3
• Paren: 4 × 2 = 8
• Add: 7 + 8 = 15
• Sub: 15 − 3 = 12
Answer: 12
(6 − 1) + 4 × 2
• Paren: 6 − 1 = 5
• Mult: 4 × 2 = 8
• Add: 5 + 8 = 13
Answer: 13
9 − 3 + 2 × (1 + 1)
• Paren: 1 + 1 = 2
• Mult: 2 × 2 = 4
• Sub (L→R): 9 − 3 = 6
• Add: 6 + 4 = 10
Answer: 10
Worksheet: Solo
(5 + 3) × 2 − 4 12
2³ + 6 ÷ 3 10
5 + 6 × (2 + 1) 23
9 − (4 ÷ 2) + 7 14
Quick Check Quiz
Q1: 9 − 3 + 2 × 4
Mult: 2×4=8 → Sub: 9-3=6 → Add: 6+8=14
Answer: 14
Q2: (8 ÷ 2) + 3²
Paren: 8÷2=4 → Exponent: 3²=9 → Add: 4+9=13
Answer: 13
Q3: 5 + 6 × (2 + 1)
Paren: 2+1=3 → Mult: 6×3=18 → Add: 5+18=23
Answer: 23
Teacher Misconception Watch
Students may always add before subtracting regardless of position. Remind them of the "Left to Right" rule for addition and subtraction.
For exponents like 3², students often multiply the base by the exponent (3 × 2). Check for "6" instead of the correct "9".
