Montana Math MT.5.OA.1

Math5th GradeOperations and Algebraic Thinking

The Standard

Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions and evaluate expressions with these symbols using the order of operations.

2026 Montana Mathematics Content Standards

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use parentheses, brackets, and braces to show which calculations belong together. They calculate from the innermost group outward, then follow the order of operations for anything left.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given {30 − [2 × (4 + 5)]} ÷ 3, a student calculates 4 + 5 first and gets 4 as the final answer. They can explain why they must finish the braces before dividing by 3.
Common Misconceptions: Some students work strictly left to right and add before multiplying. Others think brackets and braces mean something different from parentheses, or move outside a group before finishing it.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask students to evaluate {30 − [2 × (4 + 5)]} ÷ 3. Have them circle the first calculation they do and show their steps.

Lesson moves

Give pairs number cards 6, 4, 3, 2 and operation and grouping cards; challenge them to build an expression equal to 18.
Write 8 + 2 × (6 − 3) and (8 + 2) × (6 − 3); ask which grouping changes the result and why.
Show {30 − [2 × (4 + 5)]} ÷ 3 = 24; pairs identify the skipped grouping and correct the answer.
A cafe sells $4 sandwiches and $2 drinks; students write and solve the cost of three meals with one sandwich and two drinks each.

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