Pre-K · Counting & Cardinality
PK.CC.5: Compare sets (more/less)
PK.CC.5 is a Pre-K 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 Pre-K math learning standard
Identify whether the number of objects in one group is more, less, greater than, fewer, and/or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies. (1: up to 5 objects)
In plain words
Compare sets (more/less).
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
You have 5 cars and Sam has 5. Who has more?
- You
- Sam
- You have the same
Where students can get stuck
- Judging by size, so 3 large blocks spread out seem like more than 5 small beads in a pile.
- Mixing up "fewer" and "less," or pointing to the bigger group when asked which has fewer.
- Picking one group as "more" when the two are equal, because they expect one group to win.
Effective teaching strategies
- Match each of 4 blocks to one of 5 toy cars in two rows, ask which row has an extra, and then count both rows to name more and fewer.
- Place three large blocks spread far apart beside five blocks in a tight pile and ask which group has more, so students count and do not judge by how much room a group takes.
- Ask both which group has more and which has fewer about the same two groups, and sometimes use two groups of four so students learn that equal is an answer.
Share it with families
Families can read Comparing groups: which has more, which has fewer 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.