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Don't you feel great when you finish up a new resources for your students?
I just wanted to share that I'm so glad that I decided to bind my Fold It Ups into a book this year! I only have about 40 minutes for math class, so there isn't much extra time for passing out and creating the Fold It Ups and then securing them into a notebook. However, having them bound requires students to simply take out their books and get started...and this does save a little bit of time. Then we don't have to staple or glue into a notebook, and that saves a LOT of time. Once the Fold It Ups are completed, they stay in the book for the students to keep with them all the time. They can use them as a reference when doing their practice work/homework and will be able to refer to them throughout the year. I also included lined pages for notes in between the Fold It Ups for additional topics, examples, etc. 
This has been very handy so far!
Using this book is so much easier than last year, when we were stapling or gluing the Fold It Ups into notebooks or trying to keep them in pockets. I'm so excited about how this is working out! 
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 Order of Operations Sequencing
Are you looking for an easy and effective activity to help students practice order of operations in math class?
Early last week, I was trying to think of a different kind of activity to help my middle school math students who needed more reinforcement with order of operations, and I decided to make a sequencing activity. I hadn't tried this before, so I wasn't sure about the best way to design it, but the activity ended up working quite well. Here's how I put this math activity together and used it with my 6th grade math classes. Order of Operations Activity Design For this math activity, I created 8 different expressions, and then typed out the steps to simplify each expression. I copied the expressions and steps onto different colored papers, so that two expressions would be on the same color. I cut the steps apart into strips, and then put two expressions and their steps (of the same colored paper) into a baggie...I figured if I put only one equation in a baggie, the activity would be too simple. If I put two expressions of two different colors, it would be too easy. So I went with two expressions in the same color. That way they'd have to do some sorting of the expressions.:-)
Using the Order of Operations Activity
I put 3 baggies (6 different expressions and their steps) into a manila envelope for each group. Groups were mostly just partners, with an occasional group of 3. I typed directions to include in the envelopes, and asked students to do their best to follow those directions before asking for clarification (some of the students worked on this activity, while others completed different activities, so I needed them to try to work through the directions themselves before I got to each group to discuss with them). 
Some students needed additional instruction, while others did not.
After students put the steps into the correct sequence (shown in the image above), they had to write those steps onto a recording sheet, pictured below. 
In each of my math classes, students worked on this activity for about 15-20 minutes. Some groups completed all 6 expressions, while others completed only 2-3. A few more minutes would have been helpful for those students who didn't complete as many expressions, but I can revisit the activity with those students this week.
I will definitely use this again next year:)
Other Resources for Order of Operations Instruction and Practice
If you're looking for other resources to help your students practice with order of operations, I have several in my TPT shop - some print and some digital.
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AuthorHey there! I'm Ellie - here to share math fun, best practices, and engaging, challenging, easy-prep activities ideas! 
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