counting Vocabulary
JamWise Education TeamยทUpdated March 2026
The counting strand is a core part of the K-8 math curriculum. It encompasses 20 vocabulary terms that students encounter as they progress from kindergarten through 8th grade. Each term builds on previous knowledge, creating a spiral of deepening understanding that prepares learners for increasingly complex concepts.
Understanding counting vocabulary is essential for classroom discussions, assessments, and real-world application. Below you will find every term organized by grade level, so teachers and parents can quickly identify which words are appropriate for their students and explore definitions tailored to each developmental stage.
Kindergarten
(8 terms)
Count
To say numbers in order, one by one.
First
Number one in a line. Before everything else.
Number
A word or symbol that tells how many.
One
A single thing. Just one.
Pair
Two things that go together.
Ten
The number after nine. Ten ones.
Ten frame
A box with 10 spaces to help you count.
Zero
None. No things at all.
1st Grade
(7 terms)
After
The number that comes right next.
Before
The number that comes just in front of another.
Even
A number that can be split into two equal groups. Like 2, 4, 6.
Number line
A line with numbers on it in order, evenly spaced.
Odd
A number that cannot be split into two equal groups. Like 1, 3, 5.
Ordinal number
A number that shows order. Like 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Skip counting
Counting by jumping over numbers. Like 2, 4, 6, 8.
2nd Grade
(5 terms)
Even number
A number you can split into 2 equal groups with none left over.
Odd number
A number that has 1 left over when split into 2 groups.
Skip count by 100s
Counting by hundreds: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500...
Skip count by 10s
Counting by tens: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50...
Skip count by 5s
Counting by fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25...