4 Fun Order of Operations Activities 

Are you on the hunt for fun order of operations activities that will help your 7th and 8th grade students not only understand but also master the order of operations? Well, your quest ends here! In this blog post, I’m giving you the *TEA* on my four most popular order of operations activities that will not only make learning order of operations a breeze but also keep your students actively engaged in the process.

You are going to want to incorporate these ideas into your lesson plans. I’m sharing 4 different ways you can practice this important concept with your students. Students need lots of practice!

Building a Strong Foundation

Before we delve into the activities themselves, let’s remind ourselves why understanding the order of operations is crucial. The order of operations is the set of rules that dictate the sequence in which different operations should be performed. Without a solid grasp of these rules, students may find themselves lost when dealing with complex numerical expressions.

Activity 1: Order of Operations Activity – Surgery Edition

As a devoted fan of the TV show Grey’s Anatomy, I couldn’t resist the temptation to incorporate surgery into my order of operations lesson last year. The Surgery Edition activity adds an element of excitement and drama to the learning process.

How It Works

• Students move around the room, tackling a variety of expressions that need to be simplified using the order of operations. Each expression represents a patient in need of surgery.
• When they arrive at an answer, they turn their attention to a board where they’ll find their answer and determine which “patient” is in each “operating room.” This adds an element of suspense and intrigue.
• To intensify the experience, consider playing some Grey’s Anatomy background music to set the mood and immerse students in the surgical atmosphere.

This activity not only reinforces the order of operations but also injects an element of fun and suspense that students will undoubtedly appreciate. It’s a great way to make abstract math concepts come to life with an engaging resource.

Activity 2: Order of Operations Relay Race

Collaboration is a valuable skill, and the Order of Operations Relay Race is the perfect way to encourage teamwork and critical thinking. Even those it’s called a race, it is not necessarily a fast-paced game. Here’s how you can organize this exciting relay race in your classroom:

How It Works

• Divide students into teams and have them sit in a vertical row.
• Each team works together to simplify one expression at a time. The twist? Each student can only complete one operation before passing the expression to the student behind them.
• The game continues until the expression is completely simplified. The student who finishes the last step brings it to you for verification.
• The first team to arrive at the correct answer earns 5 points, while the other teams get 1 point each.
• If a team’s answer is incorrect, provide constructive feedback by highlighting where the mistake occurred. Encourage them to go back to their group and try again.

While this may seem like a race, students will soon realize that accuracy takes precedence over speed. This activity fosters not only mathematical understanding but also teamwork and communication skills, which are essential for success both in and out of the classroom.

Fun Activity 3: Order of Operations Game

Who said learning couldn’t be combined with a dash of Thanksgiving-themed fun? The Order of Operations Game is a crowd-pleaser because it combines learning with excitement. It’s the perfect review activity.

How It Works

• Students work in small groups to tackle challenging order of operations math problems. The game board features a turkey-themed oven where each oven is worth a mysterious point value.
• After each challenge, one team member brings their solution for verification. If the answer is correct, the team gets to choose an oven for their virtual turkey.
• The catch is that the point value of each oven is unknown, adding an element of chance and strategy to the game.

This game not only reinforces the order of operations but also adds a layer of competition and suspense that students will find irresistibly entertaining. It’s a great way to keep the learning atmosphere festive and engaging.

Activity 4: Order of Operations Coloring Worksheet

Who doesn’t love a good fall-themed activity? This Order of Operations Coloring Worksheet is best suited for higher level classes because it is both challenging and aesthetically pleasing, making it the perfect extension activity.

How It Works

• Students are tasked with simplifying a series of expressions, with each answer corresponding to a specific color on a coloring page.
• As they progress through the problems, they fill in the coloring page accordingly.
• In the end, they’ll have a beautifully colored creation that doubles as classroom decoration. This not only reinforces the order of operations but also appeals to students’ creative sides.

This activity is an excellent way to combine math with art, allowing students to express their understanding in a creative and visually appealing manner. It’s also a great option for those who prefer working individually and at their own pace.

The Power of Immediate Feedback

One of the remarkable features of these order of operation activities is their ability to break down each step, allowing you to pinpoint and address mistakes early on. Immediate feedback is the key to effective learning, as it helps students understand and correct their errors.

Additional Resources and Tips

While these activities are incredibly effective in teaching the order of operations, there are many other resources and strategies you can employ to reinforce this essential math concept. Here are some additional tips and ideas:

– Interactive Online Tools: Explore online resources and interactive tools that allow students to practice the order of operations in a digital format. Many websites and apps offer engaging activities and games.

– Real-World Applications: Connect the order of operations to real-world scenarios to make it more relevant for your students. For example, discuss how engineers use these principles when designing structures or how scientists apply them in experiments.

– Peer Teaching: Encourage students to explain the order of operations to their peers. Teaching a concept to someone else reinforces their own understanding and can lead to meaningful discussions.

– Hands-On Manipulatives: Use physical objects, such as manipulative materials or even everyday items like fruits or candies, to demonstrate the order of operations. This hands-on approach can make the concept more tangible.

– Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any math skill, mastering the order of operations requires practice. Provide plenty of opportunities for students to have additional practice with a variety of expressions and problems.

Fun Order of Operations Activities Conclusion

Incorporating these engaging order of operation activities into your curriculum can make a significant difference in your students’ understanding and retention of this essential math concept. The combination of hands-on experiences, teamwork, creativity, and immediate feedback creates a dynamic learning environment that fosters deeper comprehension.

If you try any of these fun order of operations activities, I hope they provide meaningful practice and I’d love to hear all about it!

Stay tuned for my next blog post, which will be packed with even more valuable tips and resources for teaching the order of operations.