Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the order of operations in mathematics, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction). The student will be able to apply this knowledge to solve mathematical expressions correctly.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil for calculations
• A whiteboard or chalkboard (optional)
• Timer (optional for timed activities)
• List of math expressions for practice
• A fun fact about math to share

Before the lesson, ensure that the student has a basic understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It may also be helpful to review what parentheses and exponents are, as these concepts will be used in the activities.

Activities

• PEMDAS Song: Create a catchy song or rap that includes the order of operations. The student can make up their own lyrics to a familiar tune, helping them remember the order in a fun way.
• Math Relay Race: Set up a series of math problems on different pieces of paper around the room. The student must solve each problem in order, running from one to the next, while practicing their order of operations skills.
• Order of Operations Challenge: Present the student with a set of mixed math expressions to solve. Time them to see how quickly they can correctly solve each one, reinforcing their understanding of PEMDAS.
• Math Art: Have the student create a poster that visually represents the order of operations. They can include examples and illustrations, making it a creative way to reinforce their learning.

Talking Points

• "PEMDAS is like a set of rules that tells us which math operations to do first. It's important because it helps us get the right answer!"
• "Think of parentheses as a 'priority pass.' Whatever is inside them gets solved first, no questions asked!"
• "Remember, multiplication and division are on the same level. So you go from left to right when you see them."
• "The same goes for addition and subtraction. They are best friends and work from left to right too!"
• "If you ever feel confused, just take a deep breath and remember: it's all about following the order!"
• "Practicing with real-life examples, like calculating the total cost of items while shopping, can make order of operations more relatable."
• "Math can be like a puzzle. The order of operations is the key to solving it correctly!"