A.1 Count oranges from 0 to 50

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What does it mean to count?

Counting is the process of naming numbers in order to find out how many objects there are. When we count, we say one number for each object we touch or point to. This helps us know the total, or how many in all.

Example:

Let's say we have a bowl of oranges. To find out how many oranges are in the bowl, we point to each orange and say a number: "one, two, three, four, five." The last number we say tells us the total. There are five oranges.

Note

Always remember that the last number you say when counting is the total number of objects in the group. This is a key math skill called cardinality.

Counting from 0 to 10

Before we count to 50, we must be very comfortable with the first ten numbers. The number 0 is a special number that means there are none of something. The numbers 1 through 10 are the building blocks for all the bigger numbers.

Count Along:

0 — Zero oranges (the bowl is empty).
1 — One orange.
2 — Two oranges.
3 — Three oranges.
4 — Four oranges.
5 — Five oranges.
6 — Six oranges.
7 — Seven oranges.
8 — Eight oranges.
9 — Nine oranges.
10 — Ten oranges.

Note

Practice this sequence until you can say it smoothly, without stopping. Being able to count from 0 to 10 without hesitation is the first big step to counting all the way to 50.

Counting from 11 to 19: The tricky teens

The numbers from 11 to 19 are special. They have their own names that don't follow the same pattern as the numbers after 20. You will need to memorize them. The number 11 is "eleven," and 12 is "twelve." The rest of the "teen" numbers start with the ones digit and end with "teen."

The Teen Numbers:

10 — Ten oranges.
11 — Eleven oranges.
12 — Twelve oranges.
13 — Thirteen oranges. (3 + "teen")
14 — Fourteen oranges. (4 + "teen")
15 — Fifteen oranges. (not fiveteen)
16 — Sixteen oranges. (6 + "teen")
17 — Seventeen oranges. (7 + "teen")
18 — Eighteen oranges. (8 + "teen," but only one 't')
19 — Nineteen oranges. (9 + "teen")

Note

Listen to the sounds of the teen numbers carefully. "Thirteen" and "fifteen" sound a little different from "three" and "five," so pay extra attention to them!

Counting by tens: 20, 30, 40, 50

Once we get past 19, counting becomes easier because we see a pattern. We count by tens. These are numbers that tell us how many groups of ten we have. The tens words tell you how many tens, and they end with "-ty."

The Tens:

20 — Twenty oranges. (This means two groups of ten.)
30 — Thirty oranges. (Three groups of ten.)
40 — Forty oranges. (Four groups of ten. Notice it's "forty," not "fourty.")
50 — Fifty oranges. (Five groups of ten.)

Note

The tens numbers are the foundation for counting to 100 and beyond. Remember the special spellings: 20 is twenty, 30 is thirty, 40 is forty, and 50 is fifty.

Putting it all together: Counting from 20 to 50

To count from 20 to 50, we follow a pattern. First, we say the tens number, and then we count up from 1 to 9 before moving to the next ten. For example, after 20 comes 21, then 22, all the way to 29. After 29, we say the next tens number, which is 30.

Counting to 50 with Oranges:

20 - 29: Twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine oranges.
30 - 39: Thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine oranges.
40 - 49: Forty, forty-one, forty-two, forty-three, forty-four, forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine oranges.
50: Fifty oranges!

Note

Watch out for the numbers when we switch from one group of ten to the next. What comes after 29? It's 30! What comes after 39? It's 40! Practice these "turnover" points.

A complete list: Counting from 0 to 50

Here is the complete list of numbers from zero to fifty. You can use this list to practice your counting. Try pointing to each number as you say it out loud.

Number	Word
0	Zero
1	One
2	Two
3	Three
4	Four
5	Five
6	Six
7	Seven
8	Eight
9	Nine
10	Ten
11	Eleven
12	Twelve
13	Thirteen
14	Fourteen
15	Fifteen
16	Sixteen
17	Seventeen
18	Eighteen
19	Nineteen
20	Twenty
21	Twenty-one
22	Twenty-two
23	Twenty-three
24	Twenty-four
25	Twenty-five
26	Twenty-six
27	Twenty-seven
28	Twenty-eight
29	Twenty-nine
30	Thirty
31	Thirty-one
32	Thirty-two
33	Thirty-three
34	Thirty-four
35	Thirty-five
36	Thirty-six
37	Thirty-seven
38	Thirty-eight
39	Thirty-nine
40	Forty
41	Forty-one
42	Forty-two
43	Forty-three
44	Forty-four
45	Forty-five
46	Forty-six
47	Forty-seven
48	Forty-eight
49	Forty-nine
50	Fifty

Note

When you write numbers like 21, 32, or 43, remember to use a hyphen (-) between the tens word and the ones word. This is the correct way to write the number in word form.

Ways to practice counting

There are many fun ways to practice counting every day. You don't always need a pencil and paper. You can count things you see around you!

Practice Ideas:

Count objects at home: How many books are on your shelf? Can you count up to 20 crackers for a snack? How many steps does it take to walk from your room to the kitchen?
Count with a friend: Take turns saying the next number. One person says "20," the next person says "21," and so on.
Look for numbers: Look for numbers on signs, in books, or on a calendar. Say the number name out loud when you see it.

Note

The more you practice counting in real life, the easier and more natural it will become. Counting is a skill we use every single day!

Go to the practice →

Common Core alignment: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.A.1 – Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

Notes for teachers

This lesson is aligned with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.A.1. Use it for whole-class instruction, independent practice, or homework. The content focuses on the foundational skill of counting from 0 to 50, using clear definitions, examples, and notes to support student understanding.

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