One Is Fun: Learning the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Marker or crayon
• Five small objects, such as blocks, toy animals, or buttons
• Number cards or a homemade card showing the number 1
• Play dough or clay
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: music for a short movement game

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Recognize the number 1.
• Count one object correctly.
• Show one item when asked.
• Trace or make the number 1.
• Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.

Success Criteria

“I know I can do it when I can find 1, show 1, count 1, and make the number 1.”

Introduction: Hook and Objectives

Say: “Today we are going on a Number 1 adventure! Can you hold up one finger?”

Invite the child to hold up one finger, clap one time, and take one big step.

Tell the child: “Today we will learn what the number 1 looks like and how it tells us that there is one thing.”

Body

I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration

1. Show the number:

   Hold up the number card or write a large 1.

   Say: “This is the number 1. It looks like a straight line. One means just one.”

2. Count one object:

   Place one block on the table. Touch it and say, “One block.” Move it gently and repeat, “There is one block.”

3. Connect actions to one:

   Model one clap, one jump, one spin, and one tap on the table. Count slowly each time.

4. Model writing:

   Use your finger to draw a large number 1 in the air. Say, “Start at the top, go down.” Then write it on paper.

We Do: Learn Together

Activity 1: Find One

1. Place several groups of objects nearby: one block, two toy animals, three crayons, and four buttons.
2. Ask, “Can you find the group with one?”
3. Let the child point to or pick up the group with one object.
4. Count together: “One!”

Quick check: Show two different groups and ask, “Which group has one?”

Activity 2: One-Action Game

Give simple directions, one at a time:

• “Do one jump.”
• “Touch one toy.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Bring me one crayon.”

After each action, ask, “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One.”

Activity 3: Make the Number 1

Invite the child to choose one way to make the number 1:

• Trace a large number 1 with a crayon.
• Build a number 1 with play dough.
• Make a number 1 with blocks.
• Draw the number 1 in the air or on a tray of flour.

Encourage effort by saying, “You started at the top and moved down. That makes a number 1!”

You Do: Independent Practice

Number 1 Treasure Hunt

1. Ask the child to find one safe object in the room.
2. When the child brings it, ask, “What did you find?”
3. Count it together: “One ___.”
4. Have the child draw the object and write or trace the number 1 beside it.

Offer choices:

• “Would you like to find one toy or one book?”
• “Would you like to draw one flower or one animal?”
• “Would you like to build one tower or make one play-dough shape?”

Real-World Connection

Talk about things that come in ones:

• One nose
• One sun
• One home for the child
• One favorite toy
• One cup or one plate

Ask: “What is one thing you can see right now?”

Formative Assessment

During the lesson, notice whether the child can:

• Point to the number 1 when shown several numbers.
• Choose one object from a group.
• Count one object without adding extra numbers.
• Follow a one-action direction.
• Attempt to trace or create the number 1.

If needed, use hand-over-hand guidance, larger materials, repeated counting, and frequent movement breaks.

Summative Assessment: Show What You Know

Ask the child to complete these four tasks:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Give you one object.
3. Do one clap or one jump.
4. Trace or make a number 1.

Celebrate each success with specific feedback: “You gave me exactly one block. You counted carefully!”

Differentiation

For Extra Support

• Use only one object and one empty space at first.
• Guide the child’s finger while counting.
• Use large, easy-to-hold objects.
• Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
• Allow pointing, touching, or speaking as an answer.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find the number 1 in books, signs, or packaging.
• Ask, “Can you make a group with one red object?”
• Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
• Invite the child to draw one object and label it with the number 1.

Conclusion and Recap

Review the lesson together:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “What does one mean?”
• “Can you make the number 1 in the air?”

Closing chant:

“One little finger, one little toe,
One big number 1—now we know!”

Optional Follow-Up

During the day, invite the child to look for groups of one. Say, “I see one spoon,” or “You found one sock.” Keep the activity playful and brief.