Order of Operations With Exponents

Inside the case file

Order of operations with exponents practice worksheets and PEMDAS activities for 5th grade and 6th grade are all included in this zombie Mini Mystery Detective pack of math worksheets. Students evaluate numerical expressions with parentheses and whole-number exponents to solve five spooky detective cases — perfect for Halloween math centers, morning work, early finishers, and spiral review. Completely no prep — just print and go.

What's Inside

• Evaluating numerical expressions with parentheses and whole-number exponents (squared numbers like 4², 6², and 9²)
• Applying the full order of operations: parentheses first, then exponents, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction
• Multiplying and dividing with squared numbers inside grouping symbols to build real PEMDAS and BEDMAS fluency
• Whole-number answers only — no negative numbers and no fractions, so students can focus on the order of operations
• Self-checking answer keys for every case

Five zombie mysteries to solve: The Missing Brain, The Empty Grave, The Broken Barricade, The Midnight Groaner, and The Stolen Skull. Answer keys included for every case.

What is a Mini Mystery Detective?

A no-prep detective activity where students solve math problems to cross off suspects and unmask the culprit — like an escape room without the locks. Every correct answer eliminates a zombie suspect, so the activity is self-checking: solve the math correctly and only the villain is left standing. Skill practice plus critical thinking in one engaging worksheet set.

When to Use This Resource

• Halloween and October math centers
• Morning work and bell ringers
• Early finishers
• Sub days and emergency plans
• Homework and spiral review
• Small-group intervention and test prep

Grade Levels

Designed for 5th and 6th graders learning to evaluate expressions with exponents. Also beneficial for struggling 7th and 8th grade students who need extra practice and advanced 4th graders ready for a challenge.

Why Teachers Love Mystery Detectives

• Zero prep — just print and go
• Self-checking — answer keys for every case, and the mystery only solves when the math is right
• Highly engaging — the zombie detective hook keeps the whole class on task
• Builds real order-of-operations fluency alongside critical thinking
• Each case fits neatly into one class period

Want more order of operations practice? Try the classic Order of Operations with Exponents PEMDAS Mystery Detective pack of math activities Worksheets

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