Grade 9 Numeracy: Rational Numbers and Matrices


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Section 1 / Section 2 / Sections 3 and 4 / Sections 5 and 6

Lesson Plan: Order of Operations Jeopardy!

Objective: Students will use technology to explore the effects of different order of operations on a set of numbers.

SCO
B3 - Apply the order of operations in rational number computations

Resources: TI-83 Calculators, stop-watch

Time: 1 class

Learning Activities:
1. Students will use all of the following rational numbers:

(1/6), -1.81, 2, (9/4)

and their knowledge of the order of operations (review p. 31 on Math on Minds if needed) to perform different calculations (you may want to set a rule that only the 2 may be used as an exponent, but your discussion could show what it would mean if the other numbers were used). The student has to try to come up with a calculation that they think will be hard for the other students to guess. Students should have about 5 minutes to choose their calculation and record the workings on a sheet of paper. 10 minutes

2. Split the class into groups of around 5, and ensure everyone clears their calculators. The student shows the answer for their calculation to the rest of the group; each number has to be used exactly once. The group then has 2 minutes using the TI-83 to try to come up with a computation that yields that number. Ensure everyone gets a full two minutes to try the problem. At the end, let people share their solutions, and everyone should verify their workings (if nobody gets it, the person should show their workings, and the rest of the team should verify). The group should select 1 problem they thought was the hardest. 25 minutes

3. At the end of class, each group presents their hardest calculation (again, make sure students clear their calculators). The other groups try to solve the problem. The team with the fastest overall time to any problem presented is declared the winner (declaring a winner is optional). 10 minutes

4. Leave time at the end of class to let students complete a journal entry or exit slip (from Minds on Math 9). This could be put on the same page as their calculation: Why is it important to have rules for the order of operations? Write an explanation in your journal. Include some examples to illustrate your explanation. 5 minutes

Evaluation: Get students to submit their answer, question, and journal entry as an exit slip (their ticket to be allowed to leave class). Take time to review these and make comments as appropriate.

My cool Math sites: NCTM / Government Math Docs / Ask Dr. Math