Micro Lesson Plan : Order of Operations

Good Morning Teachers, 

Last semester in my SPED Resource practicum placement I got the opportunity to plan out a lesson on Order of Operations and deliver it to a small group of students. The standard for my lesson is as follows: 

AZ Mathematics Standard: 

5.OA.A.1 Use parentheses and brackets in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols (Order of Operations). 

The standard was chosen based on students’ needs, IEP goals, and objectives. Students’ current math levels were assessed based on progress monitoring (collected student work evidence). 

Prior to this lesson students should have an understanding of the symbols for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and parentheses. Have basic mathematical terminology (ex: add, subtract, multiply, divide, equation). Know how to add, subtract, multiply, or divide in one and two-step equations. Know how to solve multi-step equations with one type of operation. 

ISTE Standard 

Creativity and Innovation - Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues. 

Instructional Objective

Students will accurately use the mathematical steps of the mnemonic PEMDAS model to solve 5 mathematical expressions with at least 80% accuracy. 

Student friendly version of objective: I will be able to solve multi-step math equations using the mnemonic PEMDAS model. 

Anticipatory Set/ “Grabber” 

I focused students’ attention on the lesson by having them have a discussion.I asked my students to discuss how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cooperatively list the steps. I brought in a jar of Wowbutter (peanut free butter that tastes like peanut butter due to allergies), jelly, two plastic knives, and a loaf of bread which were set out in front of them. Based on students’ steps I followed their directions and made a PB&J sandwich. The activity wasn’t successful the first try because students were unaware that you would need to open the jar before scooping some “peanut butter” to spread on one of the faces of a slice of bread and so on. 

“I Do” / Explicit Instruction

Review vocabulary : 

• PEMDAS
• Mnemonic Device — a memory aid used to assist with recall such as a rhyme or acronym

TTW: 

• Discuss with students the importance of giving exact directions in the “right” order, not only when making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but when solving a problem using order of operations. Just like with sandwiches, if we go out of order, we won’t get the correct result. 
• Write PEMDAS on board. 
• Ask students if they’ve ever heard of PEMDAS? 
• What do you think each letter represents? 
• What are the steps to simplifying expressions? 
• Review PEMDAS steps
• What tool can you use to remember the “correct” order to solve order of operations? 
• Mnemonic Device (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally) 
• Go over order of operations and corresponding rules
• Remind students that the multiplication and division steps are a group which work from left to right: multiplication does not come before division if division comes first in the equation. This is the same with addition and subtraction. 
• Show students a sample math problem: “To find out the answer to this problem you must use the order of operations, which means that all of the operations you have already learned must be calculated in a certain order: PEMDAS ( parentheses, exponents, multiplication & division, addition & subtraction) 
• Solve another sample math problem. Explain that if you ignore parentheses for example and just go in order form left to right you will get a different answer. If you follow the “right order” (PEMDAS) you get the correct answer. 
• How will the answer change if the order is used versus not used? 

“We Do” / Guided Practice 

TTW: Solve a few more problems as a class, probing students on what the following step requires us to do. As students continue working out problems with their partner, teacher will continue to check in ensuring all students have understood the concept. 

TSW: Complete a problem on their own and compare answer with their partner. Student will then complete the rest of the problems independently.

“You Do” / Independent Practice 

Order of Operations Online Bingo 

Materials: 

• Quizlet Math Equation Flashcards
• Technology Device (ie. Computer, laptop, iPad, smartphone) with access to the internet
• Online Bingo Game Card - https://BingoBaker.com/play/1934438
• Individual dry erase boards and markers (to work out problems) 

Directions: 

1. Each player is to type in web address onto online search engine 

2. Webpage will direct students to generate their own unique bingo game card. 

3. Webpage will give instructions, student is to read and confirm by clicking Ok, I understand. 

• Click a box to mark
• Click a box again to unmark it
• If you win, say BINGO

4. Teacher shuffles Math Equation Flashcards on Quizlet and just click on arrow to go to the following equation. 

5. All students write the problem on their dry erase boards and solve , step by step, using the correct order of operations. Players turn their dry erase boards face down. 

6. When everyone is ready the teacher says “Showdown!” All students hold their boards and the teacher checks their work. A student is chosen to display the solution and to explain how the problem was solved. Teacher guides class discussion if needed. 

7. Everyone with the correct answer may click the box on his/her Bingo card. 

Repeat with additional problems until one player gets a “Bingo” by covering an entire row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. 

Closure 

Group Discussion:

1. What does PEMDAS stand for? 
2. Why is it important for everyone to follow the same order in simplifying expression? 
3. What the rule when it comes to multiplication and division? Addition and subtraction? 

Assessment

TSW complete an exit ticket with 5 mathematical expressions using the mnemonic device PEMDAS to ensure each problem is being completed using the steps to simplifying expressions. 

Hope you were able to acquire some new resources and ideas for your teacher toolbox ;)

Until next time! 

-Mrs. Vanderford