Wait… What Changed? Helping Middle Schoolers Understand Order of Operations November 2, 2025 By Bekki Leave a Comment This content may contain affiliate links. If your middle schooler has ever stared at a math problem like it’s written in code, you’re not alone. Table of Contents (Because we all skim—no shame here.) Peek Inside 1 Why Kids Don’t Really Hate Math 2 When the Symbols Start Talking 3 How to Help at Home 4 Turning Confusion into Confidence 4.1 📘 Related: Math Basics Middle Schoolers Need Before Algebra 5 The Takeaway I’ll never forget the day my son let out that dramatic, world-weary sigh only a tween can pull off.“Mom, I did this right. I swear.” He slid his paper across the table. 3 + 4 × 5 = 35 And honestly? Before my second cup of coffee, I might’ve agreed. But that one innocent little line was about to become a masterclass in meaning. Why Kids Don’t Really Hate Math They don’t hate math.They hate not understanding what math is asking. Parentheses. Minus signs. The word of.They’re tiny — but they can completely change what a problem means. Take this: 3 + 4 × 5 = 23 (3 + 4) × 5 = 35Same numbers. Totally different results. That’s because order of operations isn’t just a rule — it’s the grammar of math. It’s the difference between, “Let’s eat, Grandma!” and “Let’s eat Grandma!”(Same words. Very different dinner.) When the Symbols Start Talking Math has a tone, just like language.When a student misses the tone, they miss the meaning. A few examples every parent should see: –5 means negative five (an amount below zero). 7 – 5 means subtract 5 from 7. 20% of 50 = 10, but “Increase by 20%” = multiply by 1.2. Per means “divide” — so miles per hour literally means miles ÷ hours. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. How to Help at Home When your middle schooler gets stuck, don’t just ask, “What’s the answer?” Ask instead: “What changed here?” This small question trains their brain to notice patterns, meaning, and logic — not just memorize steps. It’s the fastest way to help them feel confident and capable again. Because math isn’t just about numbers.It’s a language of relationships. Turning Confusion into Confidence Someday, your tween will look at a grocery receipt or a paycheck and need to know what those numbers mean. Is 25% off better than “Buy One, Get One Half Off”?If the cereal is $4.79 for 20 ounces or $7.99 for 36 ounces, which is the better deal? That’s real-life math. And it’s exactly why I created the Middle School Budget Project — a hands-on math project that teaches kids to see math as a tool for life, not just a subject. It turns “Why do we even need math?” into “Wait, can I do the grocery budget this week?” 👉 Check out the Middle School Budget Project here. 📘 Related: Math Basics Middle Schoolers Need Before Algebra Before students can master order of operations, they need a strong foundation in number sense, fractions, and real-world reasoning. This post breaks down the essential skills every tween should build first — no drills, just meaning that sticks. The Takeaway Math isn’t a mystery — it’s a story told in numbers, symbols, and meaning.When kids learn to read that story clearly, they stop memorizing and start understanding. And that’s when confidence blooms.