Like many topics in math, students need practice to improve their skills.  However, simply providing students with an order of operations worksheet is about as fun as watching the grass grow.  The students need more engaging order of operations activities. Furthermore, simple problems from a worksheet usually don’t require higher level thinking.  In fact, with how bored the students probably are, all they can think about is the order of teams being picked for gym or the order of being called for lunch, not the order of operations.  That’s why I include at least one order of operations activity each day we practice the topic.  Plus, it makes my job more fun! 

The first activity for order of operations I like to use is always, sometimes never. Next, we use an error analysis to ensure understanding.  I also enjoy playing the game Krypto as an order of operations challenge activity.  Lastly, the activity my students talk about for weeks is “Operation Order Matters”.  In this order of operations fun activity, students have to answer a series of questions to unlock a mysterious box in an engaging detective themed lesson.  These activities are just what you need to ensure your students’ operations are all in order!

1. Always, Sometimes, Never – Order of Operations Activities Freebie

Students always need practice, sometimes need clarification and never want to be bored.  That’s why keeping the activities fresh is so important.  Another way to mix up your lesson with some order of operations activities is to have students organize generalizations about the order of operations.  For example, consider providing students with statements that are always true such as “multiplication comes before subtraction”.  Come up with some instances that are sometimes true, “addition comes before subtraction” and ensure general understanding by using statements that are never true.  You can easily come up with your own statements for this activity. However, there’s no need when you can use my free, ready to use, print and digital resource. To further enhance the activity and provide a challenge for students, have them work in pairs or small groups to provide their own examples of statements that can be categorized accordingly.

2. Error Analysis

This critical thinking activity provides students with practice on simplifying expressions with the order of operations by analyzing the exceptionally error enhanced student work.  My students go about solving this type of problem in one of two ways.  Some students prefer to solve the problem on their own and then compare the work to find the error.  In contrast, some of my students prefer to look at the work step by step and decipher any errors that way.  Either option provides students with outstanding practice of implementing the steps needed to simplify longer expressions. 

To create error analysis problems for students to check, simply provide the students with a problem, a sample solution (preferably with an error) and space to correct the error.  In my error analysis activity, I have three different type of problems.  I have a section where there are several problems that have been solved and the students have to determine which problems have been solved correctly and fix any errors in the incorrect solutions.  I also have a section that has the same problem solved four different ways for students to determine which is correct and where the others went wrong.  Additionally, I provide students with several problems that are completely incorrect for them to find and fix the error and provide a suggestion to help the student.

3. Krypto

Krypto is the deep sea dive when it comes to an order of operations game that not only challenges students, but also gets them thinking about the order of operations on a much deeper level.  If you have never heard of the game Krypto, it has some similarities to the 24 Game.  However, it consists of different solutions each time instead of the repetitive nature of always being equal to twenty-four. 

In the game Krypto, students are provided with a set of cards.  With the provided cards, the student must create an expression that results in the “target number”.  Often the game is played with these rules; however, to ensure students are getting adequate practice, I force my students to write the problem as one long expression before simplifying.  I tell the students if they are unable to write the problem on a single line, it does not count.  This challenges students who were able to solve mentally to determine how they could write it so the operations are followed in the correct sequence.

Where can I get Krypto?

You can get the actual game on Amazon, use some of the free and paid resources on the Illuminations website, or simply do what I do. I usually provide students the “cards” by giving them numbers and informing them of the “target number”.  The students enjoy trying different options on individual whiteboards.  When students get too discouraged, I recommend they move on to a different set of numbers with a new target. 

When students come up with a solution I check their work and ask them to visit with each other to share their unique expression.  The students love seeing how many different options they can come up with for the same set of cards and target number.  Sometimes a set of numbers can be particularly challenging and may stump the whole class, heck it may even stump you!  If this happens, the Krypto calculator can potentially save you. 

Bonus Activity: Operation Order Matters

The last order of operations activity I use to promote a better understanding of this concept is my engaging lesson where I turn my classroom into a detective office and dress like I’m straight out of the movie “Men in Black”.  In this exciting activity, students work collaboratively to solve a series of order of operations problems to crack the code and open the lock. Similar to a scavenger hunt, the students have to correctly solve all components to successfully complete the task. This activity is like a mini order of operations escape room without all the additional escape puzzles.  You can create this lesson on your own by following the steps in my order of operations worksheet blog post or download my editable resource.

Give the students what they want!

Whichever order of operations activities you choose to use in your classroom today, will certainly be more engaging than some washed up worksheet!  Your students are starving for knowledge.  However, they are picky eaters.  They don’t want the ground meat (worksheets), they want the Filet Mignon (activities)!  Give the students what they want.  Your restaurant will be filled with much happier customers!