How To Teach Problems with Order of Operations

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The good old order of operations…Actually, I totally remember learning how to solve problems with order of operations when I was in middle school. I liked the clear-cut sort of rules and directions to follow. Unlike in language arts, the order of operations had rules that didn’t get broken. My little organized self loved the simplicity of just following the rules.

However, as a teacher, I’ve learned that not everybody likes clear-cut rules like problems with order of operations have. Some kids prefer the more open-ended critical thinking type questions, like how to solve word problems. Some kids like rules, but only when it benefits them. Oh wait, I’m talking about the order of operations, not classroom behaviors…

Problems with order of operations can be fun for kids, no matter if they like following rules or not! So let’s dive in!

Definition for Order of Operations

First up, let’s talk about the definition for order of operations. The definition for order of operations is a set of steps needed to solve an expression with multiple operations. This means that students are given an expression and have to simplify it using the operations in a certain order.

These operations are multiplication, division, adding, and subtracting, as well as having parentheses and exponents. Problems with order of operations can have a few or all of these operations!

Acronym for Order of Operations

There’s an acronym for order of operations most commonly PEMDAS that is used for keeping track of the rules. The letters stand for parentheses, exponents, multiply, divide, add, and subtract.

There are other acronyms as well such as:

GEMDAS (grouping, exponents, multiply, divide, add, subtract)
GEMORDSORA (grouping, exponents, multiply OR divided, Subtract OR add)

No matter the acronym for order of operations that you chose to teach with, be sure to explain that multiply/divide happens as you read the problem from left to right. Same thing with adding and subtracting, we read from left to right. This is important when problems with order of operations have both adding and subtracting.

I usually use a hopscotch type of math poster idea to help students get the point across. I draw the arrows going from left to right to remind students that these steps of the order of operations happen in a different order depending on the problem.

This is an example of how I show students the order of operations in math problems. I use this math poster and an example problem to help teach this concept.

Order of Operations and Exponents

Depending on if you teach 5th grade or 6th grade, you might have order of operations and exponents. According to the Common Core State Standards:

Problems with Order of Operations for 5th Grade

5.OA.A.1 Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.

In 5th grade, students solve problems with order of operations with parentheses, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. For an extension, you can always teach order of operations and exponents, but it is not in the Common Core Standard for 5th Grade.

Problems with Order of Operations for 6th Grade

6.EE.A.1 Write and evaluate numerical expressions involving whole-number exponents.

In 6th grade, students solve problems with order of operations with all of the components. This is an extension from the 5th-grade standard and if students need scaffolding, removing the exponents for a time might provide that.

Resources to Teach Order of Operations in Math Problems

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite resources to teach order of operations in math problems, whether you teach 5th or 6th grade.

I use a hands-on approach to teaching and practicing math and that is no different from teaching problems with order of operations. So, I love using math stations in my 6th-grade classroom and it helps with differentiation and creating a more engaged class. I talk all about how to set up math stations, how to stay organized, and different math station rotation ideas in my 5 part video series. Inside this free video series, you gain access to everything you need to set up math stations in under a week. Turn your math block from frustrating to fun! Drop your email below and you’ll get the 5 videos sent to your inbox ready whenever you are!

Digital Task Cards

A holdover from the digital era of teaching but is still a go-to in my classroom. This set of task cards can be used digitally with Google Forms or using TPT’s Easel Platform. A paper version is also included along with a recording form if you want to use the tasks card that way.

I share a bunch of ways how to use task cards in this blog post so if you are looking for creative ideas be sure to check it out.

Creative Math Posters

I love looking for ideas for math posters and order of operations is such a fun topic. I included my personal favorite, the hopscotch method as well as a few others.

math poster ideas for order of operations — credit

Sure you can look up ideas for math posters and create your own. Or you can trace them and use fun fonts and layouts to keep yourself organized. But my favorite way to use math posters is using them as student reference sheets. I print fill-in-the-blank style anchor charts for my math interactive notebooks. Then as I am creating the full-size chart, students can fill in their own. This then stays in their notebook or math folder as a reference.

Inside my 5th grade math equations anchor chart bundle I include colorful options for you to print, black and white to make tracing easier and a fill-in-the-blanks copy for students to fill in with you. If you are interested in picking up the 5th grade math equations anchor chart pack click the picture below to learn more.

order of operations math posters — These math posters can be printed at 200% for poster size or printed at 80% to fit into students’ math interactive notebooks. Fill in the blanks help students get used to taking notes for middle school. Click the picture to learn more!

Math Games 2 Player

Want more of a gamified approach to practicing problems with order of operations? This math games 2 player option is perfect for partners or during math stations.

Students simply take a board and solve an order of operations math problem. Then they check their answer with their partner who has the answer. Partner A has Partner B’s answers and vice versa. This gives the games for mathematics a self-checking aspect. If the answer is correct, students take a turn at Tic Tac Toe.

My students love this game and usually set up a whole class competition to determine overall winners. The low-prep, print & play game is easy for me to prepare ahead of time and set out for math stations.

Want to try out the problems with order of operations game? Click here to learn more!