Write and Interpret Numerical Expressions

Order of Operations Activity

Students use the puzzle below to analyze and think deeply about the order of operations.

Prior to Lesson: Cut each puzzle piece out. Place each color grouping together in an envelope. (All blue pieces stay together, red, green, etc.) On the front of each envelope, write the answer to the order of operations problem (located at the end of the puzzle document).

1. Students are placed in groups of 2 to 4. Groupings should consist of multiple ability levels. Students should all be encouraged to talk about their reasoning and explain their thinking. There are materials for up to 8 groups.

2. Students will manipulate the numbers, signs, exponents, and parentheses to get to the answer on the front of the envelope.

3. Prompt students to explain their thinking. Use the Questioning Prompt Guide to help guide your questions to adhere to the standards outlined in the mathematical practices. "Why are you choosing to put the parentheses are around 20-15? Encourage students to use their available tools such as a calculator (if permitted) as well as pencil and paper.

4. Challenge: once a group has found the expression to match the answer on the front of the envelope, have them help others by explaining their strategy. They can also switch envelopes with another group who has successfully completed the puzzle.

Focus Content Area Standard

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.OA.A.1

Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.

Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6 Attend to precision.

CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP7 Look for and make use of structure.