Maryland Math 5.AT.A.2

Math5th GradeAlgebraic Thinking

The Standard

Write expressions that record calculations with numbers and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · WRITE AND INTERPRET NUMERICAL EXPRESSIONS.

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students turn calculation directions into number expressions. They use parentheses to show which calculation comes first and explain expressions without finding the answer.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given 'add 8 and 5, then multiply by 4,' a student writes (8 + 5) × 4. They can explain how that differs from 8 + (5 × 4) without calculating either one.
Common Misconceptions: Students leave out parentheses when a sum must happen before multiplication. They may read 8 + 5 × 4 from left to right or calculate an answer instead of explaining the steps.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask students to write an expression for 'multiply the sum of 8 and 5 by 4.' Then have them explain what 8 + (5 × 4) means without calculating.

Lesson moves

Give pairs number, operation, and parentheses cards to build an expression for 'add 7 and 2, then multiply by 5.'
Have partners explain why (6 + 2) × 3 and 6 + (2 × 3) describe different steps without calculating.
Play a card match with 'twice the sum of 4 and 9,' 2 × (4 + 9), and distractor expressions.
Show a receipt for three $4 notebooks and a $2 pen; ask students to write and explain an expression for the total.

Free download

$Preview of the 5.AT.A.2 printable worksheet$

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.AT.A.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.