What concept is being taught when there are random stacks of blocks with some having an equal amount and some having one more block?

The concept being highlighted with random stacks of blocks, where some stacks have equal amounts and others have one more block, relates to even and odd numbers. When examining the stacks, if one stack has an even number of blocks, it can be paired completely without any leftover, whereas a stack with an odd number will always have one block that cannot be paired. This visual representation helps solidify the understanding of the characteristics of even and odd numbers, which are foundational concepts in number theory.

In this scenario, the arrangement of blocks serves to visually demonstrate the difference between even and odd counts, reinforcing the learning objective of identifying and working with these categories of numbers. This activity encourages students to recognize patterns, develop number sense, and understand the basic properties of whole numbers, which is essential for their mathematical development.