Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One large paper or index card
- Crayon or washable marker
- Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Play dough
- One sheet of paper
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say that 1 means “one.”
- Count one object correctly.
- Trace or make the numeral 1.
- Find examples of one in everyday life.
Success Criteria
I can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one object.
- Say, “This is one.”
- Make a number 1 with my finger, crayon, or play dough.
Introduction: Meet Number 1
Hook: Hold up one finger and say, “Look! I have one finger up. Can you show me one finger?”
Say:
“Today we are going to play with the number 1. The number 1 means just one. One means not two, not three—just one!”
Show the child the numeral 1 on a card or piece of paper.
Ask:
- “Can you point to the number 1?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one toy near you?”
Body: I Do
1. Model One Object
Place one block on the table. Touch it and count slowly:
“One.”
Say:
“I see one block. I touch it one time. There is one block.”
Show a group of two or three objects and say:
“This is more than one. One means only one object.”
2. Model Writing Number 1
Use your finger to draw a large number 1 in the air.
Say:
“Start at the top. Go down. Number 1 is a straight line.”
Trace the number 1 on paper with your finger, then trace it with a crayon.
Body: We Do
1. Show Me One
Place several small objects in front of the child. Give directions one at a time:
- “Give me one block.”
- “Touch one button.”
- “Pick up one toy animal.”
- “Put one object in the cup.”
After each turn, ask, “How many did you choose?” Help the child answer, “One.”
2. Number 1 Movement Game
Say a movement and have the child do it one time:
- “Do one jump.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Turn around one time.”
- “Touch your nose one time.”
Pause and ask, “How many times did you do it?”
3. Think, Find, and Share
Give the child a moment to look around the room. Invite the child to find something there is only one of, such as one clock, one table, or one door.
Ask:
- “What did you find?”
- “How many are there?”
- “Can you say, ‘I found one ____’?”
Body: You Do
1. Make a Number 1
Invite the child to choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace a large 1 with a crayon.
- Draw a 1 in the air.
- Make a 1 with play dough.
- Build a 1 using blocks or craft sticks.
Encourage the child to explain:
“I made the number 1.”
2. One-Item Picture
Ask the child to draw one thing on a piece of paper. It could be one sun, one flower, one pet, or one favorite toy.
Talk about the picture:
- “What did you draw?”
- “How many did you draw?”
- “Can you circle the one thing?”
3. Number 1 Hunt
Give the child a numeral 1 card or ask the child to look for the number 1 in a book, calendar, toy, label, or clock.
Each time the child finds a 1, say:
“You found number 1! Number 1 means one.”
Formative Checks
Use these quick checks during the lesson:
- Show the child the numerals 1, 2, and 3. Ask, “Which one is 1?”
- Place one object beside a group of objects. Ask, “Which group has one?”
- Ask the child to give you one object.
- Ask the child to show one finger.
- Ask, “What does number 1 mean?”
Real-Life Connection
Talk about things people use one at a time:
- One toothbrush for brushing teeth
- One nose
- One moon in the sky
- One child’s name on a name card
- One book to read together
Differentiation
For Extra Support
- Use only one object and say “one” several times.
- Guide the child’s finger while tracing the numeral 1.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and hold.
- Offer choices: “Is this one or two?”
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find three groups that each have one object.
- Invite the child to draw one object and write the number 1 beside it.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
- Have the child sort objects into “one” and “more than one.”
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Ask the child to complete these four tasks:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Choose one object from a small group.
- Show one finger and say, “One.”
- Trace or make the numeral 1.
Simple assessment guide:
- Ready: Completes most tasks independently.
- Almost ready: Completes tasks with a small hint or demonstration.
- Needs more practice: Benefits from repeated practice with one object and the numeral 1.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Hold up the number 1 card and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “What does 1 mean?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Recap together:
“Today we learned about number 1. Number 1 means one. We counted one object, found one thing, and made the number 1.”
Optional Closing Song or Chant
Say or clap this chant together:
“One, one, number one,
One small clap, and now we’re done!”