In math, odd and even numbers are foundational concepts that introduce students to numerical patterns and relationships. Exploring odd and even numbers helps students develop skills in pattern recognition, skip counting, and understanding the properties of numbers. The activities in this lesson plan will introduce your learner to odd and even numbers up to 10 and ways to recognize them.
Key Concepts
Here are a few key concepts that are helpful to know for this lesson:
Even Numbers: Numbers that can be evenly divided into two equal groups. Even numbers of items can be grouped into pairs.
Odd Numbers: Numbers that cannot be evenly divided into two equal groups. Odd numbers of items do not form pairs as there will always be an item that is not paired.
Odd and Even Patterns: In a sequence of numbers, there is an alternating pattern of odd, even, odd, even, etc. Learners can recognize this pattern when skip-counting by twos.
Partitioning: Even numbers can be partitioned into two even numbers or two odd numbers. For example, 6 can be partitioned into 2 and 4 (both even) or 5 and 1 (both odd). Odd numbers, on the other hand, can be partitioned into one even and one odd number. For example, 7 can be partitioned into 4 (even) and 3 (odd).
Teaching Plan
The following activities will help your learner become confident with identifying odd and even numbers. Remember to go at a pace that is comfortable for your learner.
Examples and visuals to support the lesson:
1. Exploring Odd and Even with Visual Aids
This lesson begins with an exploration of using visual aids to recognize numbers that are made of pairs (even) or not (odd).
Provide visual tools such as base-ten boards or cards with dot pictures for exploration.
Allow your learner time to freely explore the visual aids. Then, prompt them to put the boards or cards into numerical order.
Have your learner group the boards or cards according to whether they are made of pairs or not. Encourage your learner to discuss their sorting process verbally.
Next, introduce the language of odd and even: Explain that numbers made of pairs are even, and those with a lone dot are odd.
Encourage your learner to use the following stem sentences when describing odd and even numbers: "___ is made of pairs so it is an even number. ___ is not made of pairs so it is an odd number."
Skill Check
I can recognize numbers that are made of pairs and ones that are not.
2: Sorting Odd and Even Groups
In this activity, your learner will deepen their understanding by sorting the number boards into odd and even groups on their own.
Provide several number boards or cards for sorting into odd and even categories.
Encourage your learner to use a sorting mat to keep the groups organized.
Use the stem sentences to justify their sorting decisions: "This card has pairs, so it's even. This card has a single dot, so it's odd."
To promote deeper thinking, show your learner boards or cards that are sorted incorrectly. Have your learner spot the mistakes, correct them, and explain their reasoning.
Skill Check
I can sort numbers into odd and even groups.
3. Recognizing Numerals as Odd or Even
In this activity, your learner will progress to using numerals instead of base-ten boards or cards.
Have your learner sort the boards or cards into odd and even categories. Then guide them in replacing each board or card with its corresponding numeral, one by one.
Provide plenty of practice identifying and sorting numerals as odd or even. Over time, your learner should be able to sort the numbers without using visual representations.
Skill Check
I can tell if a numeral is odd or even.
4. Exploring Odd and Even Numbers with Ten Frames
This activity will introduce ten frames as a way of identifying odd and even numbers.
Arrange a set of ten frames vertically. For each number up to 10, complete a ten frame by filling it in row by row. This will allow you to fill in the ten frames in pairs demonstrating the odd and even structure of the numbers.
Next, guide your learner as they fill in the ten frames on their own. Ensure that they go row by row, helping them visualize the pattern of odd and even numbers.
Discuss these generalized statements with your learner: "Numbers that can be made out of groups of two are even numbers. Numbers that can't be made out of groups of two are odd numbers."
Skill Check
I know that even numbers can be made out of groups of two and odd numbers cannot.
5. Developing Fluency with Number Patterns
This activity will use number lines to reinforce your learner's understanding of odd and even patterns.
Use number boards or cards alongside number lines to count in odds and evens, emphasizing skip-counting patterns. Progress to using only the number line, highlighting "jumps" of two between even numbers.
Point out patterns to discuss with your learner: "Odd and even numbers alternate. Between two even numbers, there is an odd number. Between two odd numbers, there is an even number."
Provide additional practice by showing your leaner odd and even number sequences with missing numbers for them to complete.
Skill Check
I can recognize patterns of odd and even numbers on a number line.
6. Exploring Partitioning of Odd and Even Numbers
When your learner is comfortable identifying odd and even numbers, progress to exploring patterns formed by partitioning numbers into two.
Allow your learner to explore one even number at a time up to 10, investigating how it can be partitioned into two parts.
Have them draw a part-part-whole diagram (cherry or bar model) and identify whether each part and the whole are odd or even.
Emphasize the concept: "Even numbers can be partitioned into two odd parts or two even parts."
Repeat the process for partitioning odd numbers, working towards the concept: "Odd numbers can be partitioned into one odd part and one even part."
Challenge your learner to explore why an odd number cannot be partitioned into two odd parts.
Skill Check
I know that even numbers can be split into two odd parts or two even parts. I know that odd numbers can be split into one odd part and one even part.
Summary
This lesson plan guides your learner through an exploration of odd and even numbers, starting with visual tools like number boards and ten frames, then progressing to abstract concepts such as skip-counting patterns. By engaging in these activities, your learner will develop fluency in identifying and categorizing odd and even numbers and recognizing key patterns in number sequences.
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Skill Check