Even and odd

2nd Grade – Mathematics (Italian educational system)

Math

Materials for the class

White cards, pencils, scissors, Velcro, stapler, images of boxes.

Layout of the classroom

The activity will be performed in the classroom. You should create 4 groups with the desks.

Phase 1

The teacher introduces the topic, paying attention to the difference between even and odd numbers (even numbers are divisible by 2). She/he has also to give evidence to the reminder. The teacher can draw examples on the blackboard for clarity.

Phase 2

Then the class is divided into 4 groups. The first group has to draw ten images of animals on ten diffeent cards, the second ten images of fruits, the third ten images of toys and the fourth ten images of school objects. The children have to crop the drawings and stick a piece of velcro behind them.

Phase 3

 The teacher hangs on the wall the image of some containers with ten pieces of velcro stuck. The first group is asked to take only an animal image and attach it to the container, the second group two images, the third group three images, the fourth group four images and so on. Each time a group puts the images, the teacher asks if the corresponding number is even or odd+. For example, if a group has to split three fruits in the containers, it will have one of the rest and this defines the three an odd number.

Phase 4

The teacher asks the children to prepare a drawing about the experience. Beside each number they have to draw the number of corresponding images and their category. They can divide even and odd numbers into two different columns.