Odd and Even Numbers – Tens Frames

Description

Help children develop their understanding of odd and even numbers with this practical tens frames maths activity. Children use the tens frames to visualise quantities and decide whether each number is odd or even.

The tens frames provide a clear visual representation of each number, helping children see how the counters or spaces can be organised into pairs. Children can look carefully at the quantity and identify whether there is an even pair for every object, supporting their understanding of what makes a number odd or even.

Children can then circle, highlight or tick their answer on the worksheet. This provides a simple way for them to record their thinking and practise identifying odd and even numbers independently.

This activity is ideal for KS1, particularly when introducing or reinforcing the concept of odd and even numbers. The visual and practical approach can help children move beyond simply memorising which numbers are odd or even and begin to understand why.

Children can practise:
Recognising odd numbers
Recognising even numbers
Using tens frames to represent quantities
Grouping objects into pairs
Identifying whether a quantity can be paired equally
Developing number sense
Using mathematical language
Explaining their reasoning

Encourage children to look carefully at the tens frames and explain what they notice. Useful questions include:

“How many are there altogether?”
“Can you put them into pairs?”
“Does every counter have a partner?”
“Is there one left over?”
“How do you know the number is odd or even?”

The tens frames make this resource particularly useful for visual and concrete learning. Children can use counters alongside the worksheet to physically build the numbers and arrange them into pairs, helping them develop a deeper understanding of odd and even numbers.

The activity can be used as a teacher-led focus group, an independent maths task or as part of continuous provision. Provide counters or other small manipulatives alongside the worksheet to give children an opportunity to explore the numbers practically before recording their answers.

For differentiation, begin with smaller numbers for children who need additional support and gradually introduce larger quantities. More confident learners could be challenged to explain how they know a number is odd or even without using counters.

For an extension, ask children to sort a selection of number cards into odd and even groups and explain their choices. They could also investigate the pattern of odd and even numbers and predict whether the next number in a sequence will be odd or even.

This practical activity supports children in developing odd and even number knowledge, pairing skills, number sense and mathematical reasoning, while using tens frames to make an important number concept easier to visualise.