One Amazing Number: Learning About 1
Materials Needed
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Number cards or paper with the number 1 written on it
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Paper and crayons
- Play dough or modeling clay
- A small basket or bowl
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Practice making the shape of the number 1.
- Use the word “one” in a sentence.
Success Criteria
Success looks like this:
- “I can find the number 1.”
- “I can give you one thing.”
- “I can count one object.”
- “I can try to write or make a 1.”
Introduction: Meet Number 1
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy and say, “Look! I have one toy. Can you hold up one finger?”
Say:
“Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing. One nose, one sun, and one special you!”
Ask:
- “How many toys am I holding?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “What is one thing you can see?”
Quick check: Notice whether the child shows one finger and uses the word “one.” Offer help by modeling slowly.
Body: I Do
1. See and Say the Number
Show the number card with 1.
Say:
“This is the number 1. We call it one. It looks like a straight line with a little hat.”
Trace the number in the air with your finger while saying, “Down, then a little line.” Invite the child to watch first.
2. Count One Object
Place one block in front of the child. Touch it once and say, “One block.” Move your hand away so the child can see that there is only one block.
Repeat with different objects:
- One toy animal
- One crayon
- One spoon
Emphasize that the last number said tells how many objects there are: “One means we have just one.”
Body: We Do
1. Find One
Place one object in one bowl and several objects in another bowl.
Say:
“Let’s find the bowl with one thing. Point to the bowl that has one.”
Repeat using different objects. Let the child explain the answer by saying, “It has one.”
2. One-Finger Movement Game
Give simple directions. The child should do each action one time:
- Clap one time.
- Jump one time.
- Stomp one time.
- Spin one time.
- Touch one toe.
After each action, ask, “How many times did you do it?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
3. Think, Talk, and Share
Ask the child to look around the room and find one object. The child may point to or bring the object.
Use the sentence frame:
“I found one ______.”
Examples might include “one chair,” “one book,” or “one teddy bear.”
Body: You Do
1. Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Invite the child to search for items that come in groups of one. Give clear directions:
- “Find one soft thing.”
- “Find one blue thing.”
- “Find one toy.”
- “Find one thing that is small.”
The child can place each item in a basket. Count each item separately, saying, “One soft thing,” “One blue thing,” and so on.
2. Make the Number 1
Let the child choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace the number 1 with a finger.
- Draw the number 1 with a crayon.
- Build the number 1 with play dough.
- Make the number 1 using blocks.
- Trace the number 1 in rice, sand, or flour on a tray.
As the child works, say:
“You are making a 1. Start at the top and go down.”
3. Create a “One” Picture
Ask the child to draw one thing. The child might draw one sun, one flower, one house, or one animal.
Talk about the picture using the sentence:
“I drew one ______.”
Formative Assessment: Quick Checks
Ask the child to complete these tasks:
- Point to the number 1 from two number cards.
- Give you one block.
- Count one toy.
- Show one finger.
- Circle one object on a page or in a small group of objects.
Give specific feedback:
- “You gave me exactly one block.”
- “You found the number 1.”
- “You counted carefully.”
- “You kept trying when making your 1.”
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Invite the child to complete a short “Number 1 Show.” Ask the child to:
- Find the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Put one object in a bowl.
- Count the object by saying, “One.”
- Draw, trace, or build a number 1.
The child meets the lesson goal when they complete most tasks with little or no help.
Differentiation and Choice
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Physically guide the child’s finger while counting.
- Say “one” slowly and repeat it often.
- Use large number cards and large objects.
- Allow pointing, touching, or showing instead of speaking.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or around the home.
- Ask, “Can you find one object that is red?”
- Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
- Invite the child to write the word “one” with help.
- Ask the child to explain why a group has one object.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Review the number card and say:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one thing. We can find one, count one, show one finger, and make the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you bring me one toy?”
- “What is one thing you liked doing today?”
Closing Chant
Say the chant together while holding up one finger:
“One, one, number 1!
One little finger, learning is fun!
One toy, one sun, one special me—
Number 1 is easy to see!”
Optional Real-World Practice
During the day, look for opportunities to notice one:
- Put one napkin on the table.
- Choose one book to read.
- Find one flower outside.
- Give one gentle hug.
- Place one spoon beside a plate.