Kelly Collova

Brooks Crossing Elementary School

February 6, 2014
Time: 8:30-9:20
5
th
grade
Math Lesson Plan Order of Operations with Fractions
Standards: CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA.A.1 Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical
expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF.A.1 Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
(including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way
as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators.
Objectives: Students will be able to solve order of operations problems involving fractions and
mixed numbers.
Materials: SmartBoard, teachers computer, students math notebooks
Procedures:
Introduction: Open up your math notebooks to a clean page and title the page Order
of Operations with Fractions. First, lets review how to add fractions with unlike denominators
and also how to add mixed numbers with unlike denominators. Lets review adding fractions
with unlike denominators first. Example:

. First, do the butterfly strategy. Second, add the

two fractions you got using the butterfly strategy, which is

. Third, add straight across

and then simplify or convert if you have to. When you add the two fractions you get

. That can
be converted to

, so the answer is

Now lets review how to add mixed numbers with unlike denominators. Example:

. For mixed numbers you use the divide and conquer strategy. First, add the whole
numbers, 2 +3=5. Second, add the two fractions,

using the butterfly strategy. After

using the butterfly strategy you get

The sum is

Third, simplify

. It can be simplified to

Don't forget the 5! The answer is

For todays lesson we need to know how to add fractions and mixed numbers with
unlike denominators as well as the importance of parentheses. We know that parentheses need to
be done first. So, whenever there are parentheses in a problem, the operation that is in the
parentheses needs to be done first even if the operation may be may be out of order when dealing
with order of operations. However, the parentheses don't need to be done first when the problem
contains only one operation, such as only containing addition. Todays problems will involve
three fractions. Don't get nervous when you see the three fractions and the parentheses because
the parentheses are there to help us solve the problem in an orderly way. Now that we have
reviewed adding fractions, mixed numbers, and the importance of parentheses, we are ready to
move onto order of operations with fractions and mixed numbers.
Body: The following three examples will be done one at a time as a class. Students will
copy each problem down into their notebooks.
Lets try this first problem together as a class.
Example 1: (

Notice how the only operation in this problem is addition. Even though we don't have
to solve the problem in the parentheses first because only addition is used in this problem, we
are going to add

first because they have the same denominator. We add the fractions with
the like denominators first so that we don't have to butterfly twice. So before you start each
problem, look to see if the operation is the same. If the operation is the same, then look to see if
any of the denominators are the same so that you can pair the fractions with the like
denominators together. For this problem first add the fractions

because the
denominators are the same which allows us to add straight across.

Now we can add

. Since these fractions dont have the same denominator, we have to butterfly them.
When we butterfly

we get

We can convert

to

The answer is

Example 2: (

I notice that the only operation in this problem is addition. I also notice that the two
fractions in the parentheses do not have the same denominator. However, I notice that the
fraction outside the parentheses has a like denominator with a fraction inside the parentheses.
Since

and

have the same denominator I am going to add them first. It may help to rewrite
the problem as follows: (

. Now I add

first, then I add

. Notice this
problem deals with mixed numbers, so I am going to use the divide and conquer strategy. So I
add the whole numbers first, 2 and 1, to get 3. Now I add

by adding straight across and

get

Remember to not forget the whole number 3! So

Now I have to add

by doing the butterfly since the denominators are different. Again, since these are
mixed numbers I am going to use the divide and conquer strategy and add the whole numbers
first. 3+1=4 and

This can be converted to

. Remember to not forget

the whole number 4! So,

So the final answer is

Example 3:

I notice that the only operation in this problem is addition. I also notice that the two
fractions in the parentheses do not have the same denominator. However, I notice that the
fraction outside the parentheses has a like denominator with a fraction inside the parentheses.
Since

have the same denominator and are the same fraction, I am going to add them
first. It may help to rewrite the problem as follows:

. Now I add

first, then I add

. Notice this problem deals with mixed numbers, so I am going to use the
divide and conquer strategy. So I add the whole numbers first, 1 and 1, to get 2. Then I add the
fractions

. Remember to not forget the whole number 2! So

. Now I
have to add

Again, since these are mixed numbers I am going to use the divide and
conquer strategy and add the whole numbers first. 2+1=3 and

But

can
be converted to

. Remember not to forget the 3! So,

. So the final answer is

.
Closing: I want you to try these problems on your own. (I will pass out a hand out for
the students to complete.) Remember, while you are working on these problems it is important to
notice how many operations are being used. If only one operation is being used then you do not
have to solve the parentheses first. Secondly, it is important to solve the two fractions that have
the same denominator first so that we don't have to butterfly twice. Mr. Ferraris, Mrs. Roney,
and I will walk around and answer questions you may have and help you if you are stuck on a
problem.
Assessment: I will know that students understand the lesson if they are able to start or complete
the first three problems of the classwork worksheet.
Management Issues, Transitions, and Differentiation: Transitions review adding fractions,
mixed numbers, and the importance of parentheses in order of operations to refresh the students
with these rules. Differentiation one student will have assistance from his teacher. Also, Mrs.
Roney will help students who are having difficulty and she can also clarify the material during
the lesson. Students will be encouraged to show their work so that they can clearly see each part
of the problem. Showing their work will allow students to check their work in an organized way
and be able to see if they made a mistake. Students will also be encouraged to multiply or divide
larger numbers out on paper, rather than computing in their head when simplifying a problem.