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Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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.
  1. 2 + 6 × 5 = ? → 32Prompt: Multiplication comes before addition and subtraction.
  2. (12 + 9) × 3 − 5 = ? → 58Prompt: Brackets first.
  3. (12 − 4) ÷ 4 × 3 + 3² = ? → 15Prompt: Brackets, then powers, then × and ÷ from left to right, then + and −.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which expression matches: "Multiply 6 by 3, then subtract 8." (8 − 6 × 3 / (6 − 8) × 3 / 6 × (3 − 8) / 6 × 3 − 8) → 6 × 3 − 8Prompt: Which operation happens first in the words?
  2. Without calculating: how does 2 × (40 + 4) compare with 40 + 4? (2 times as large / 2 more / the same / 2 times smaller) → 2 times as largePrompt: The bracket is one amount.

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which expression matches: "Multiply 9 by 2, then subtract 4." ((9 − 4) × 2 / 9 × 2 − 4 / 4 − 9 × 2 / 9 × (2 − 4)) → 9 × 2 − 4Prompt: Which operation happens first in the words?
  2. Without calculating: how does 3 × (14 + 7) compare with 14 + 7? (3 times as large / 3 more / the same / 3 times smaller) → 3 times as largePrompt: The bracket is one amount.

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

eurekami

Write numerical expressions from words

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Ava buys 8 tickets at $4 each and a programme for $3. Write and work out an expression for the total cost (in whole units).

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    Which expression matches: "Add 2 and 2, then multiply by 3."

    • A. 2 + 2 × 3
    • B. 3 × 2 + 2
    • C. 3 + 2 × 2
    • D. 3 × (2 + 2)

  3. Question 3

    Without calculating: how does 2 × (31 + 4) compare with 31 + 4?

    • A. 2 times as large
    • B. 2 more
    • C. the same
    • D. 2 times smaller

  4. Question 4

    Elena buys 5 tickets at $2 each and a programme for $1. Write and work out an expression for the total cost (in whole units).

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    Which expression matches: "Multiply 6 by 4, then subtract 5."

    • A. 6 × (4 − 5)
    • B. 5 − 6 × 4
    • C. (6 − 5) × 4
    • D. 6 × 4 − 5

  6. Question 6

    Without calculating: how does 3 × (26 + 3) compare with 26 + 3?

    • A. 3 times as large
    • B. 3 more
    • C. the same
    • D. 3 times smaller

  7. Question 7

    Amara buys 3 tickets at $2 each and a programme for $9. Write and work out an expression for the total cost (in whole units).

    Answer

  8. Question 8

    Which expression matches: "Add 7 and 4, then multiply by 3."

    • A. 3 × (7 + 4)
    • B. 3 + 7 × 4
    • C. 3 × 7 + 4
    • D. 7 + 4 × 3

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Answer key: Write numerical expressions from words

  1. 1. 35

  2. 2. D. 3 × (2 + 2)

  3. 3. A. 2 times as large

  4. 4. 11

  5. 5. D. 6 × 4 − 5

  6. 6. A. 3 times as large

  7. 7. 15

  8. 8. A. 3 × (7 + 4)