Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayons or washable markers
- Small objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Number cards or a paper with the number 1 written on it
- Play dough, clay, or pipe cleaners
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Optional: music for a counting song
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 accurately.
- Trace or make the number 1.
- Find examples of one object in the home.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one object when asked.
- Say, “This is one.”
- Make a number 1 with a crayon, finger, or play dough.
Introduction: One Special Thing
Time: 5 minutes
Place one favorite toy in front of the child.
Say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going to be number detectives and look for the number 1!”
Ask:
- “How many toys do you see?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “What is one thing you love?”
Show the numeral 1 and say:
“This is the number 1. It tells us there is one thing.”
Body: Learn and Practice
I Do: Watch Me Count One
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects on the table. Slowly move only one object to a separate space.
Say:
“I am taking one block. I touch it and say, ‘One.’ I have one block.”
Hold up one finger and show the number card.
Model making the number 1 in the air:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. This makes 1.”
Invite the child to watch you:
- Count one object.
- Hold up one finger.
- Trace the number 1 in the air.
We Do: Find One
Time: 7 minutes
Work together to complete these activities:
- One-Finger Game: Say, “Show me one finger.” Take turns showing one finger.
- One Object Game: Place two or three objects nearby. Ask, “Can you give me one block?” Help the child choose exactly one.
- Number Hunt: Look around the home for the numeral 1. Check books, clocks, calendars, labels, or toys.
- One-Step Dance: Play music. When the music stops, take one step and freeze.
Quick check: Hold up the number 1 and ask, “What number is this?” Then show three objects and ask, “Can you give me one?”
We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Choose one or more ways to make the number 1:
- Trace a large 1 with a finger.
- Draw a 1 in the air.
- Build a 1 with play dough or a pipe cleaner.
- Make a 1 with blocks.
- Trace a 1 in a tray of rice, flour, or sand.
Use simple directions:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. You made 1!”
You Do: Number 1 Detective Mission
Time: 8 minutes
Let the child choose one mission:
- Toy Mission: Find one toy and place it in a special spot.
- Nature Mission: Find one leaf, one pebble, or one stick outside.
- Art Mission: Draw one sun, one flower, or one favorite animal.
- Snack Mission: Put one snack on a plate and say, “I have one.”
After completing the mission, ask the child to show the object and say:
“I found one!”
Give specific feedback:
- “You chose exactly one block.”
- “You found the number 1.”
- “You started at the top and made a straight line.”
Creative Activity: One Big Picture
Time: 5–10 minutes
Ask the child to create a picture containing exactly one main object. The child may draw, paint, build, or use stickers.
Ideas include:
- One big balloon
- One rocket
- One flower
- One dinosaur
- One person
When finished, ask:
- “What did you make?”
- “How many did you make?”
- “Can you point to the one thing?”
Formative Assessment
Check understanding throughout the lesson by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Hold up one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Count one object by touching it once.
- Trace or build the number 1.
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Give the child a small collection of objects and the number card 1. Ask:
- “Can you find the number 1?”
- “Can you give me one object?”
- “How many objects did you give me?”
- “Can you make a number 1?”
Ready-to-move-on indicator: The child can correctly recognize 1, select one object, and attempt to make the numeral 1.
Differentiation and Support
For Extra Support
- Use only two choices, such as one block and three blocks.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
- Use large objects and a large number card.
- Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
- Allow pointing, showing, or acting instead of speaking.
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find the numeral 1 in a book or on a calendar.
- Ask the child to draw one object and write 1 beside it.
- Compare one object with a group of more than one object.
- Invite the child to teach a toy what the number 1 means.
Conclusion: Tell Me About One
Time: 3 minutes
Hold up the numeral 1 and recap:
“Today we learned that this is the number 1. One means just one. We counted one object, found one thing, and made the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “What is one thing you can find in this room?”
End with a cheerful chant:
“One, one, number one! One small step, and we are done!”
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, invite the child to look for groups of one. Say, “Can you find one spoon?” or “Can you bring me one book?” Celebrate each successful example.