Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Order of operations
Algebra
CCSS 5.OA.A.1CCSS 6.EE.A.2.CEngland: Y6 Addition, subtraction, multiplication and divisionEngland: KS3 Number
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Order of operations.
- 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: Times tables to 12 × 12; Column addition and subtraction
Leads to: Write algebraic expressions; Write numerical expressions from words; Evaluate expressions with brackets, including nested brackets
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 (Times tables to 12 × 12; Column addition and subtraction). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 5 × 6 = ? → 30Prompt: Is there a fact you already know that is close?
- Use column addition: 3923 + 5356 → 9279Prompt: Line up the digits by place value, ones under ones.
- __ × 5 = 60 → 12Prompt: Which number in the 5 times table gives 60?
Hook · 5 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Order of operations. 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: 20 + 9 × 7 = ?
- Step 1: 9 × 7 = 63
- Step 2: 20 + 63 = 83
- Answer: 83
- 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.
- 18 + 9 × 4 = ? → 54Prompt: Multiplication comes before addition and subtraction.
- (12 + 4) × 5 − 9 = ? → 71Prompt: Brackets first.
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.
- (9 + 6) × 2 − 9 = ? → 21Prompt: Brackets first.
- (30 − 2) ÷ 4 × 4 + 4² = ? → 44Prompt: Brackets, then powers, then × and ÷ from left to right, then + and −.
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: Times tables to 12 × 12.
- 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
- Move on to: Write algebraic expressions; Write numerical expressions from words; Evaluate expressions with brackets, including nested brackets.
- 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