Unit Plan 29 (Grade 5 Math): Expressions & Order—From Words to Symbols
5th graders write and interpret numerical expressions using parentheses, brackets, and braces. They learn to reason about structure, compare expressions without computing, and communicate mathematical thinking clearly.
Focus: Write and interpret numerical expressions with grouping symbols (parentheses, brackets, braces) and compare expressions without computing by using structure and reasoning.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Mathematics (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students bridge everyday language and symbolic math by translating word statements into expressions with grouping symbols, describing what expressions mean, and deciding which expressions are greater, less, or equal without carrying out full calculations. Emphasis falls on structure, order of operations, and clear mathematical communication.
Essential Questions
- How do I turn words into symbols that show the intended order of operations?
- How can I interpret an expression’s meaning and compare two expressions without computing exact values?
- How do parentheses, brackets, and braces help organize multi-step thinking?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Translate verbal descriptions into numerical expressions using parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], and braces { }.
- Explain in words what a numerical expression represents (without evaluating).
- Use order of operations and grouping symbols to evaluate expressions when appropriate.
- Compare expressions and justify which is greater/less without computing, using reasoning about structure (e.g., “both multiply by 3, but one adds a larger quantity first”).
- Critique and revise expressions to ensure they match the context and intended order.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 5
- 5.OA.1: Use parentheses, brackets, and braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
- 5.OA.2: Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can write an expression with grouping symbols that matches a story or direction.
- I can say what an expression means in everyday language without solving it.
- I can decide which expression is greater/less by looking at its structure and order, not by computing.