Kindergarten · Counting & Cardinality
K.CC.B.5: Count to answer "how many?"
K.CC.B.5 is a kindergarten Common Core math standard in Counting & Cardinality. Here’s what it really covers, and how you can help your students learn it.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
The standard
Count to answer "how many?" questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1-20, count out that many objects.
In plain words
Count to answer "how many?"
Sample questions from student practice
These questions from Bobby's Math Club are the kinds of questions your students will see. You can try answering them to see what a student might see.
Question 1 of 3
How many apples do you see?
- 9
- 7
- 8
Where students can get stuck
- Jumping between the two rows of an egg carton, losing track of which eggs are done and ending with 10 or 14.
- Counting out 17 blocks when asked, then adding more because they are not watching for the moment to stop.
- Counting 9 scattered cars correctly, but recounting some when there are 10, because the bigger pile is harder to track.
Effective teaching strategies
- Draw two rows of 10 large circles on paper and have students cross out each circle as it is counted, so they do not jump between rows or recount.
- Ask students to count out 17 large blocks into a box, saying each number as a block goes in, and have them stop when they say seventeen.
- Build up from 5 to 10 scattered toys, having students slide each counted toy into a separate spot so they never recount one.
Units that teach this standard
Find where K.CC.B.5 lands in the program you teach. Each unit has a guide written for families. Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence.
Bridges in Mathematics
enVision Mathematics
Eureka Math
Eureka Math²
Everyday Mathematics
Go Math!
i-Ready Classroom Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics
Math Expressions
Zearn Math
Don’t see your curriculum? Contact Bobby and we’ll see if we can help!
Share it with families
Families can read Counting groups of up to 20 things for a plain-language look at this skill, with three questions to try together and ideas for helping at home.
Help every student practice counting at home
In Bobby's Math Club, students practice at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free for every family.
See how it works for teachers
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.