Why is it important for your child to learn about odd and even numbers?
Learning about odd and even numbers introduces children to the concept of patterns in numbers. Recognizing patterns is a key aspect of mathematical thinking and can be used to solve the most complex mathematical problems.
When, as an adult you can identify for example twelve as an even number it is difficult to appreciate that there are several stages of learning to come to this understanding. As with other mathematical understanding if one stage is missed or misunderstood, difficulties can start building up.
Learning that 2,4,6,8... belong to one group and 1,3,5,7.. to another is one stage. For some students it then becomes guesswork which of these groups is even and which is odd.
GCSE students guessing incorrectly will miss out on marks, they otherwise would have gained, for high level questions, because odd or even is mentioned.
Making the link that a number is given the label 'odd' if that number of objects can be grouped into pairs with one left alone is really brilliant in helping a child understand and reliably remember which group is which.
How to teach your child about odd and even numbers in 5 easy steps
☺ Pair and count socks or shoes. A great practical starting point is to share counting and pairing socks or shoes whilst talking about odd and even.
☺ Talk about photos or drawings of real life pairs. The next step from 'feeling' the maths is to make it a little more abstract which is where photos of welly boots are brilliant.
☺ Play an even and odd game with moveable toys or counters. Try the counting beans odd and even game detailed below.
☺ Play an even and odd card game with pictures of toys or counters. Try this free package of games
Number Chase 33
☺ Play an even and odd card game with written numbers (numerals). Try the number card odd and even shuffle game below.
Have fun and play the odd and even shuffle game
☺ Choose one player to operate the slide show.
☺ Choose whether, for the first round you will look for even or odd.
☺ As you change slides, race to shout out 'even'/'odd' depending on your choice.
☺ Score a point if you shout out first (or loose a point if you start to shout out mistakenly)
☺ Race to score three points
☺ Swap slide show operator,choose even or odd and play another round.
★ Pass it on ★ When your child is confident modify the shout out to start with how many e.g. shout out "four even"
Play the counting beans odd and even game
☺ Make a set of
counting beans
☺ Choose odd or even.
☺ Take turns to throw some beans and count those beans that land coloured side up.
☺ If for example you chose odd, score a point if an odd number of beans land coloured side up.
☺ Race to score 3 points.
☺ Choose odd or even and play another round.
★ Pass it on ★ On your turn arrange your counters into a pattern with pairs (and there may be one odd one). Say for example, "six, I can arrange them all in pairs, six is even." Introduce more beans as your child becomes confident.
Play the number card odd and even shuffle game
You can really extend this learning by playing an easy game starting with a pack of numeral cards.
☺ Shuffle the cards and place in a pile face down.
☺ Take turns to turn over the top card.
☺ Choose whether, for the first round you will look for even or odd.
☺ As you turn over a new card, race to shout out 'even'/'odd' depending on your choice.
☺ Score a point if you shout out first (or loose a point if you start to shout out mistakenly)
☺ Race to score three points
