During this easy to implement, classroom tested, fun unit students use logic and multiple representations (words, drawings and symbols) to evaluate mathematical expressions.
The unit concludes with students articulating the order of operations rules. The unit includes a description (12 pages), student pages (25 pages) and answer key (25 pages).
I have presented this unit at national, state and regional conferences and teachers love it!
Help
Hi Susan,
Your "Order of Operations without Rules" unit looks interesting. I was trying to review the concept with my 7th graders before state testing and it was NOT good. Order of Ops comes later in my curriculum this year, but just from the review I can tell I have my work cut out for me. I used many different activities, etc, but they haven't grasped that multiplication doesn't always come before division, etc.
Glancing at the preview for this unit, I see what looks like the "multiple representation triads" that I use often in my classroom. But I am confused about whether that is something you present to the kids only, or is there guided instruction and then they work on some in groups/independently. I just can't tell if there will be anything in the unit that I don't already do!
Can you just give me an overview of the types of activities in the student pages? It would be worth it to me not to have to design my own sheets, etc! If you aren't comfortable giving me that much information, I completely understand. Just please let me know.
Thanks,
Angela
October 10, 2010
Hi Angela,
The unit is based on guided instruction... you present the first problem... then they do the ones that follow... the unit is different because students have to describe the expression in words first... then represent... then evaluate... so an expression of the type 8 + 6 * 5 + 9 * 6 is 8 plus six groups of five plus nine groups of six... this allows them to represent it... and then the evaluation is very easy... no rules to memorize...
It is difficult for you to design your own work sheets as each page carefully builds on the next one...
Hope this helps,
Susan Mercer
October 10, 2010
I am a Intermediate Math Curriculum Specialist for nine middles schools in Santa Ana, CA. For the past 15 years I have taught Pre-Algebra to seventh and eighth grade Limited English Proficient and low math skills students. In addition, I have provided countless hours of staff development to middle school math and upper elementary teachers.
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