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Grade K Math Units

Unit Plan 11 (Grade K Math): Count to Answer “How Many?”

Count arranged sets to 20 and scattered sets to 10 using one-to-one; the last number tells how many, and each next number is one more, building strong early cardinality skills.

Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

• 6 min read
Unit Plan 11 (Grade K Math): Count to Answer “How Many?”

Focus: Answer “how many” for arranged sets up to 20 (line/array/circle) and scattered sets up to 10; understand that the last number said tells how many and that the next number is one more.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Mathematics (Counting & Cardinality)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–40 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students practice counting objects to tell how many: first in arranged sets (line, rectangular array, circle) up to 20, then in scattered sets up to 10. They build one-to-one correspondence, say the last number to show cardinality, and learn that the next number name means one more than the previous.

Essential Questions

  • How can I keep track so I count each object once and tell how many?
  • Why does the last number I say tell how many are in the set?
  • How is the next number one more than the number before it?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

  1. Count to answer “how many” objects in arranged sets (to 20) and scattered sets (to 10).
  2. Use one-to-one correspondence (touch/move-and-count) and state the last number to show cardinality.
  3. Explain that the next number name represents one more than the previous number.
  4. Count out a given number of objects (within 10) from a larger set and check accuracy.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Kindergarten (threaded across the unit)

  • K.CC.5: Count to answer “how many?” (arranged sets up to 20, scattered up to 10).
  • K.CC.4b: The last number name said tells the number of objects counted (cardinality).
  • K.CC.4c: Each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.
  • Mathematical Practices: MP.6 (precision), MP.2 (reason), MP.7 (structure—lines, arrays, circles).

Success Criteria — Student Language

  • I can count each object once and say the last number to tell how many.
  • I can count arranged sets to 20 and scattered sets to 10.
  • I can tell that the next number is one more than the last number I said.
  • I can count out __ objects and check my count.