Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Write numerical expressions from words
Algebra
CCSS 5.OA.A.2England: Y6 Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Write numerical expressions from words.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Order of operations
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Balance scales or a balance drawing, Algebra tiles, Function machine cards, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Order of operations). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 14 + 6 × 4 = ? → 38Prompt: Multiplication comes before addition and subtraction.
- (11 + 3) × 5 − 2 = ? → 68Prompt: Brackets first.
- (33 − 1) ÷ 4 × 3 + 3² = ? → 33Prompt: Brackets, then powers, then × and ÷ from left to right, then + and −.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Write numerical expressions from words. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which expression matches: "Subtract 6 from 13, then divide by 4."
- Step 1: (13 − 6) ÷ 4
- Answer: (13 − 6) ÷ 4
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which expression matches: "Subtract 8 from 18, then divide by 4." (8 − 18 ÷ 4 / 4 ÷ (18 − 8) / 18 − 8 ÷ 4 / (18 − 8) ÷ 4) → (18 − 8) ÷ 4Prompt: Which operation happens first in the words?
- Without calculating: how does 2 × (15 + 8) compare with 15 + 8? (2 times as large / 2 more / the same / 2 times smaller) → 2 times as largePrompt: The bracket is one amount.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Ethan buys 4 tickets at $6 each and a programme for $8. Write and work out an expression for the total cost (in whole units). → 32Prompt: The tickets cost 4 × 6.
- Which expression matches: "Multiply 5 by 3, then subtract 4." (5 × (3 − 4) / 4 − 5 × 3 / (5 − 4) × 3 / 5 × 3 − 4) → 5 × 3 − 4Prompt: Which operation happens first in the words?
Watch out for
- Doing an operation to one side of an equation but not the other.
- Reading 3x as 3 + x, or thinking x always stands for one particular number.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Order of operations.
- Use concrete materials: balance scales or a balance drawing.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder