All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One large paper or cardboard number 1
- Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or pom-poms
- Paper and crayons
- Play dough
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one finger when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
- Identify examples of “one” in everyday life.
Success Criteria
I can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Show one finger.
- Make a number 1 with a crayon or play dough.
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy and say, “Look! I have one teddy bear. Can you show me one finger?”
Say:
“Today we are learning about the number 1. The number 1 means one. One means just one thing.”
Show the large number 1. Invite the child to touch it and say, “This is the number 1.”
Quick Talk
- “How many toys am I holding?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
- “Can you hold up one finger?”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Watch Me Count One
Place one object on the table. Point to it and say slowly:
“One. There is one block.”
Place several objects on the table, but touch only one object while counting:
“I will take one block. I stop after one.”
Show the numeral 1 beside the single object.
Think aloud: “I see one block, so I can match it with the number 1.”
Formative Check
Ask the child to point to the group with one object. Give two choices: one toy in one group and two toys in another group.
Say, “Which group has one?”
We Do: One-Object Hunt
Go on a “one hunt” around the home. Take turns finding things that come in groups of one.
Possible examples:
- One door
- One lamp
- One spoon
- One shoe
- One stuffed animal
Each time the child finds something, say together:
“I found one ______!”
For extra movement, play music. When the music stops, say, “Freeze and show one finger!”
We Do: Build the Number 1
Use play dough to make a long snake. Help the child bend or place it into the shape of the number 1.
Say:
“The number 1 goes down. Let’s make a straight line.”
Invite the child to trace the paper number 1 with a finger while saying, “Down, down, number 1.”
You Do: Number 1 Challenge
Let the child choose one of the following activities:
- Crayon Choice: Draw one big number 1 and decorate it.
- Object Choice: Choose one toy and place it beside the number 1.
- Play Dough Choice: Make one number 1 with play dough.
- Movement Choice: Do one jump, one clap, or one spin.
Give clear instructions:
- Choose one activity.
- Make or find one number 1.
- Show your work.
- Tell an adult, “This is one!”
Real-World Connection
Talk about things people often have one of:
- “One mouth.”
- “One sun in the sky.”
- “One home where we live.”
Invite the child to name another thing they can find one of.
Assessment
Formative Assessment During the Lesson
- Ask the child to show one finger.
- Ask the child to give you one object.
- Ask the child to point to the number 1.
- Ask, “How many?” when showing one object.
End-of-Lesson Demonstration
Place three cards or papers on the table: a number 1, a number 2, and a number 3. Give the child one object.
Ask the child to:
- Point to the number 1.
- Place the one object next to it.
- Show one finger.
- Make or trace the number 1.
Success benchmark: The child completes at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.
Differentiation and Support
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Offer choices: “Is this one or two?”
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find five different examples of one.
- Invite the child to draw one object beside the number 1.
- Ask, “What happens if I add one more?”
- Practice finding the number 1 in a book, calendar, or safe digital game.
Conclusion and Recap
Hold up the number 1 and say:
“Today we learned that the number 1 means one. We counted one object, showed one finger, and made the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing in the room?”
Finish with a cheerful chant:
“One, one, number 1! Learning numbers is fun!”
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, look for the number 1 on books, signs, clocks, calendars, or labels. Each time the child sees it, say, “You found number 1!”