Look around the room for any items that can be counted in a first grade classroom. Have the children put the items in groups such as two pencils, four books, one marker, five crayons, and so on. Write down the results and go over the list: four books (even), five crayons (odd). Let the children add or take away the items in each group to change the results.
Singing is not only fun for first graders, but it also teaches them odd and even numbers. For even numbers, use this rhyme: 2-4-6-8, who do we appreciate? 2-4-6-8-10, even numbers, say it again! To teach odd numbers: 1-3-5-7, can odd numbers go to heaven? 1-3-5-7 and 9, yes they do! Now get in line.
The word “popcorn” in this game is used to teach even numbers. Say a number, if it is odd, the first graders squat down, if the next number spoken is also odd, the children stay down. On the other hand, if the number said aloud is even, the kids jump up and shout “popcorn!”
First grade classrooms are usually equipped with blocks. Set a timer and have the kids separate the blocks into pairs. When the timer sounds, have them count how many blocks they have left. Then go around the room and have each child say whether their left over blocks are an odd or even number.