Even and Odd Background Information for Teachers, Parents and Caregivers

This page provides information to support educators and families in teaching K-3 students about even and odd numbers. It is designed to complement the Even and Odd topic page on BrainPOP Jr.

Identifying even and odd numbers is an important skill that children will need throughout their math education. This skill will help prepare them to learn division, prime numbers, and even square roots. We define an even number as any integer divisible by two with no remainders. This means that the number can be divided into pairs or two equal groups with no leftovers. The numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are all even numbers. An odd number is not divisible evenly by two. An odd number cannot be divided into pairs or two equal groups without leftovers. The numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are all odd numbers.

BrainPOP Jr. defines zero as an even number because it is an integer that can be divided by two without a remainder. However, some educators define even numbers as natural numbers that are divisible by two without remainders. Since zero is not a natural number, it would be neither even nor odd. This concept may be above the level of your students, but we recommend choosing a definition for even numbers and being consistent throughout your lessons.

To identify a number as odd or even, you can divide its units into two groups. If the units can be divided into two equal groups, then the number is even. If the units cannot be divided equally the number is odd. Have your children practice splitting even and odd numbers of items into two groups. Encourage your children to identify the numbers they see around them as even or odd. To identify large even and odd numbers, students should look at the ones place. If the ones place is even, the number is even. If the ones place is odd, the number is odd. Thus, 4,398 is an even number and 3,456,753,321 is an odd number. We recommend watching the Place Value movie together as a review.