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Overview
Overview
Stable order is the idea that the order of the counting words (e.g., one, two, three), must always stay in the same, unchanging counting sequence; in other words, it is always 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, . . . , not 1, 3, 2, 5, 4. It is a fundamental principle for students to understand because they will use it to rote count forward and backward and count on (e.g., start at 7 and count to 12).
A student's list of counting words must be at least as long as the number of items they want to count. If a student only knows stable order for the numbers 1 to 5, they cannot count 7 items, as they do not have the language to do so.
Supporting Students with Stable Order
Supporting Students with Stable Order
A child who does not understand the stable order counting principle might know the counting words, but will not use them in the correct sequence as they count.
To support students learning the concept of stable order, educators can sing counting songs (e.g., Five Little Ducks), read books with counting patterns (e.g., The Very Hungry Caterpillar), and provide opportunities to model counting.
Games to Promote Stable Order
Games to Promote Stable Order
Counting from Different Starting Points
Counting from Different Starting Points
This activity allows for students to practice stable order counting to 10 from different starting points.
Counting From Different Starting Points instructions (English)
Stable Order Counting Race Board (BLM) (English)
Jersey Number Mix Up
Jersey Number Mix Up
This activity allows for students to practice stable order counting to 20, by placing the jersey number cards in the correct order (from smallest to largest).
Jersey Number Mix Up instructions (English)
Jersey Number Mix Up Cards (English)
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