Teaching odd and even numbers is a skill that many of my learners struggle with each year. Students need a lot of hands on practice in order to master this skill, that requires working with equal groups. To keep students engaged, I suggest using many different types of manipulatives!
I like to start off my lesson by using the ten frame trays. Using the frames allows students to easily create equal partners. If partners can be formed with no left overs, the number is even. If there is a leftover, the number is odd.
Have students determine if each addend is odd or even by using different colored manipulative. Then ask students to verbally add the numbers and decide if the sum is odd or even. This little activity incorporates a lot of math and vocabulary in just a few quick minutes!
For students who are ready for an extension without building each number, use the backyard dominoes and dry erase sleeves.
Dice in Dice are perfect maniuplatives to practice odd and even numbers with addition. Keep students engaged and excited about practicing skills throughout the week by providing many types of manipulatives.
For a quick and easy center, label each mini digi rubber duckies with a number.
This is very easy to differentiate! Give students who are still trying to grasp the concept numbers 1-20 and ask them to build each number on a ten frame tray. Students who are ready for a push can work with numbers 20-99 or even three digit numbers. The goal is to get each rubber ducky back to the correct pond!
To make this center self checking, simply write an "O" or "E" on the bottom of each duck.
Another way to use the mini digi rubber duckies is to have students put the numbers in order from smallest to greatest and vise-versa. This is a great extenstion for students to complete after they have completed the first task.
