All too often math is seen as a subject that is a world of its own, isolated from the humanities and other subjects. Math is not just a class but a topic that constantly impacts our decisions. Math ca
Odd or Even
This engaging lesson will help students determine whether a group of objects (up to 20) has an odd or even number of members.
Grade Level: K - 3rd Subject: Math Length of Time: 20-30 Minutes
Common Core Alignment
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.OA.C.3 - Determine whether a group of objects (up to 20) has an odd or even number of members, e.g., by pairing objects or counting them by 2s; write an equation to express an even number as a sum of two equal addends.
Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to categorize odd and even numbers. Students will be able to answer these essential questions: What makes a number odd? What makes a number even?
Materials Needed
2 brown paper bags. One back should have "even" written on it and the other should have "odd" written on it. Index cards with a number written on it. Each number card should also have dots drawn on to represent the number. For example, the 7 card should have 7 dots on it.
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
In order to gain student interest, teacher can ask for 10 student volunteers to come to the front of the class. As a class, count how many students are standing. Next, have each student find a partner (since there are 10 students, everyone will have a partner). Write 10 on the board under the word "even".
Explain to students that everyone has a partner because 10 is an "even" number. Ask 2 students to sit down, leaving 8 students standing. . Everyone should have a partner. Write 8 on the board under "even". Repeat this process with 6, 4, and 2 students. Ask students what they think would happen if there were 9 students standing. Would everyone have a partner? Repeat for 7, 5, 3, 1
Students should be able to tell you that a student will be left without a partner for 7, 5, 3, and 1.
Body of Lesson Guided Practice
Explain to students that "even" numbers end with a 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 and all other numbers are "odd". Make a chart color coding even and odd numbers. Connect back to the opening activity (each student in the even group had a partner; one student in the odd group was left without a partner).
Independent Practice
Give each student an index card with a "mystery number" written on it. In addition to the numerical number, dots should be used to represent that number. For example, the 6 card should have six dots on it. Students will work independently to pair up the dots in order to determine if their number is odd or even.
Student should write the words odd or even on the card.
Closing
Students will take their "mystery number" and place it in the appropriate "odd" or "even" bag. Have children tell the class their mystery number and ask them to tell the class whether the number is off or even and why.
