Money Math · Lesson Plan
Money Expressions with Two Operations
Real money problems often need more than one step. This lesson teaches students to write and solve expressions with two or more operations to answer money word problems — building toward multi-step problem solving.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Money Math
- Grade Level
- Grades 6–9
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 30–45 minutes
- Format
- Reading + practice worksheet
- Materials
- Printable lesson, worksheet, calculators
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Define a numerical and a variable expression
- Write expressions to represent money problems
- Use two or more operations in one expression
- Solve multi-step money word problems
- Apply order of operations correctly
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed copies of the lesson and worksheet (one per student)
- Calculators
- Whiteboard or projector for worked examples
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Numerical expression
- A math phrase with numbers and operations.
- Variable expression
- A math phrase that also includes variables.
- Operation
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
- Order of operations
- The agreed sequence for evaluating an expression.
- Multi-step problem
- A problem that takes more than one calculation.
- Solve
- Find the answer to a problem.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 30–45 minute class period.
Lesson sequence
- Introduction (5 min). Pose a two-step money problem (e.g., buy four cups at $5 each, then add tax) and ask how to write it in one expression.
- Read the method (10 min). Students read how to build an expression with two or more operations.
- Worked example (10 min). Write and solve a multi-step money expression, applying order of operations.
- Worksheet (12 min). Students practice; the answer key is included for teacher use.
Assessment
Assess the worked example and worksheet practice.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What is the difference between a numerical and a variable expression?
- How do you turn a two-step money problem into one expression?
- Why does order of operations matter when solving?
- How would you check a multi-step answer?
- When in real life do money problems take more than one step?
Printable Lesson & Worksheet
Money Expressions with Two Operations — Lesson & Worksheet
Printable lesson plus practice problems, with an answer key for teacher use.
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