Before teachers introduce odd and even numbers to students, a conversation should unfold in which the teacher explains what odd and even numbers are. Teachers can use common objects from the classrooms, like calendars, or have students bring in objects from their homes. Then teachers can have students tell them what odd and even numbers mean to them.
A number chart is a graph that consists of 100 interconnected boxes; in each box are the numbers 1 through 100. Teachers instruct the students to start with the number two and color every other box. The students use different colors and at the conclusion they have colorful charts on which they have identified even numbers; they can repeat the exercise with odd numbers. The exercise becomes a reference for identifying and reinforcing odd and even numbers.
While there are many sources to which teachers can turn to teach odd and even numbers, one book that Scholastic lists as a resource is "Even Steven and Odd Todd." Teachers and students read the book in which there is a discussion about odd and even numbers and then the teacher and students discuss why Steven and Todd like even and odd numbers, respectively, while incorporating blocks or cubes in the lesson.
Educators can conduct a sing-along to teach children about odd and even numbers. In other words, the educators lead students in a chant that proceeds, as an example, with: "2, 4, 6, 8, these are even numbers we've sung to date...1,3, 5, 7, these are odd number just like 11." Under the circumstances, students learn about numbers as they sing, but they also distinguish between the odd and even numbers.
Teachers can use math worksheets to teach odd and even numbers. For example, the teacher can distribute a sheet with two columns. On the left side the teacher can list odd and even numbers and on the right side the student can write whether the numbers are even or odd.