Here’s how to teach the PEMDAS order of operations to grade 5 students:
Start simply
Start with simple examples: Begin by using simple examples that involve only two operations, such as 5 + 2 x 3. Teach the students that they should first perform the multiplication (2 x 3) before adding 5 to the product (6 + 5 = 11).
Introduce parentheses
Once your student understands the concept of performing multiplication before addition, introduce parentheses. For example, 6 + (5 x 2) should be solved by first performing the multiplication (5 x 2 = 10) inside the parentheses, then adding 6 to the product (10 + 6 = 16).
Move on to more complex expressions
Once your kids are comfortable with simple examples, move on to more complex expressions, such as 3 x (5 + 2) - 4 / 2. Teach them to start with the parentheses (5 + 2 = 7), then perform the multiplication (3 x 7 = 21), and finally, perform the division (4 / 2 = 2) before subtracting (21 - 2 = 19).
Introduce exponents
Once your kids master the complex expressions, you’ll want to introduce exponents. For example (53 – 4) / 11. 53 is 125. 125 – 4 = 121. 121 / 11 = 11.
Use real-life examples
Use real-life examples, such as calculating the cost of items on sale or the time it takes to travel a certain distance at a certain speed, to make the concept more relatable and engaging for your young learners.
Provide plenty of practice
Provide students with plenty of practice problems that involve using the PEMDAS order of operations, and encourage them to check their work carefully by following the acronym.
Speaking of practice, we have a series of order of operations worksheets for grade 5 students to practice.
Four operations and parenthesis worksheets
These worksheets include the four operations with parenthesis. There are no exponents in these worksheets. These worksheets have students practice the complex expressions.
Practice PEMDAS including exponents
The next set of worksheets introduce exponents in the order of operations.
PEMDAS with nested parenthesis
Next, we introduce double and triple brackets, also called nested parentheses.
