Welcome to today’s lesson plan on recognizing odd and even numbers! We'll explore how to identify whether a number is odd or even by focusing on the ones digit. By the end of this lesson, your learner will confidently determine the parity of numbers up to 100 using various tools and methods.
Even Numbers: An even number can be divided into groups of two without any remainder. For example, a set of eight counters can be grouped into four groups of two. Each counter is paired with another counter.
Odd Numbers: When an odd number is divided into groups of two, there is always one remainder. If a set of nine counters are divided into groups of two, eight of them will be paired (making four groups) but one counter will be unpaired.
Determining Odd vs Even: The ones digit of the number can be used to determine whether the number is odd or even. If the ones digit is 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0, the number is even. If the ones digit is 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9, the number is odd.
Teaching Plan
The following activities will help your learner become confident with recognizing odd and even numbers. Remember to go at a pace that is comfortable for your learner.
Examples and visuals to support the lesson:
1. Models of Odd and Even Numbers
Use tens frames and counters to show that ten is a multiple of two, and therefore, an even number. For example, show 12 using a full tens frame and two additional counters. Explain that since the ones digit is 2, which is even, 12 is an even number.
Teach the following stem sentences to reinforce the concept: “We know the number __ is odd/even because the ones digit is odd/even.” “A number is odd if the ones digit is odd. It can’t be made from groups of two.” “A number is even if the ones digit is even. It can be made from groups of two.”
Use odd and even number lines to emphasize the importance of the ones digit. For example, both 11 and 12 have a 1 in the tens place, but 11 is odd because its ones digit is 1, while 12 is even because its ones digit is 2.
Skill Check
I know that even numbers can be made from groups of two, but odd numbers cannot.
2. Practice Tasks
Provide your learner with a list of numbers to sort into odd and even categories, repeating the stem sentence: “We know the number __ is odd/even because the ones digit is odd/even.”
Have your learner complete sequences with missing odd or even numbers, reinforcing their understanding of the pattern.
Use true or false questions to assess understanding, such as:
“Sixteen is an odd number.”
“Any number that ends in a zero is an even number.”
“Five is an odd number, so fifteen is an odd number.”
“To tell whether a number is odd or even, I only need to look at the ones digit.”
“Nineteen can be made out of groups of two.”
“A number that can be made out of groups of two is an even number.”
“Thirteen is an odd number because one is an odd number.” (This statement is partly true but overall false because the correct reasoning should be based on the ones digit of thirteen.)
Skill Check
I can look at the ones digit to know if a number is odd or even.
3. Extending to Two-Digit Numbers
Next, extend the concept of recognizing odd and even numbers to 20 through 99.
Remind your learner that any number of tens does not affect whether a number is odd or even; the ones digit alone determines this. Use patterns and stem sentences to reinforce this concept.
Practice counting odd and even numbers up to 100. Use a Gattegno chart initially to reinforce the pattern and provide a visual prompt. Gradually reduce reliance on the chart as your learner becomes more confident.
Continue practicing sorting numbers into odd and even and completing missing number sequences.
Skill Check
I can tell if any number up to 99 is odd or even.
Summary
By understanding how to recognize odd and even numbers, your learner will gain a vital math skill. Through the use of visual aids, number lines, and practice tasks, they will confidently identify the parity of numbers up to 100. This lesson plan provides a solid foundation for future math concepts including multiplication and division.
With over 12 years of experience as a classroom teacher, tutor, and homeschool parent, my specialty is easing math anxiety for students of all ages. I'm committed to empowering parents to confidently support their children in math!
Skill Check