What students learn in AC9M4N02
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of Explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers. The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- identifying even numbers and explaining why all numbers that end in the digits 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are even and that numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are odd explaining why some materials can be shared evenly between 2 people without leaving a remainder and some cannot
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers
- E1: identifying even numbers and explaining why all numbers that end in the digits 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are even and that numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are odd
- E2: explaining why some materials can be shared evenly between 2 people without leaving a remainder and some cannot
- E3: explaining the patterns involved in adding, subtracting and multiplying odd and even numbers; for example, even + even = even, odd + even = odd, odd + odd = even and using this to decide whether answers to addition, subtraction and multiplication calculations are correct or not
- E4: following an algorithm consisting of a flow chart with a series of instructions and decisions to determine whether a number is even or odd; using the algorithm to identify which elements of a set of numbers are divisible by 2
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9M4N02 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Rushing to a rule before checking the concrete model, drawing or number sentence.
- Using the correct answer once but not being able to explain why it works.
- Mixing up similar vocabulary such as more/less, before/after, longer/shorter or equal groups/sharing.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9M4N02 — explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 4 Maths: closest match in Number. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 2 Maths: closest content focus for Explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 4 Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for Explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers. |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 2 / Year 4: closest programme-of-study match for Explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers. |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 4 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 2 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for Explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers. |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 4 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Explain and use the properties of odd and even numbers. |