Order of Operations Practice Problems

When students get to 5th and 6th grade, they have had many years of computational practice. An extra layer of complexity is added when multiple operations and symbols are used within the same expression or equation. Teach Starter has created a set of task cards that you can use with your students when exploring how to evaluate expressions.

This set of task cards includes 24 different practice problems where students will use their understanding of parentheses, brackets, exponents, and the proper order in which to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. All of the expressions use whole numbers.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of task cards to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

For students needing support, consider providing them with a multiplication chart to help with basic math facts. Additionally, invite students to reference posters or anchor charts showing how to solve expressions using the order of operations.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

If there are students looking for an additional challenge, encourage them to pick four answers and create additional expressions that equal the same value.

🛴 Scoot Activity

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answers in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.

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This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time: