All About the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon, marker, or pencil
• Number cards or a homemade card showing 1
• Small objects such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or cereal pieces
• Paper and safety scissors
• Play dough or modeling clay
• One favorite toy or stuffed animal

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Count one object accurately.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace and attempt to write the numeral 1.
• Connect the number 1 to everyday examples.

Success Criteria

“I can…”

• Point to the number 1.
• Give you one object.
• Count one object: “One!”
• Make or trace a number 1.

Lesson Length

Approximately 20–30 minutes. Add movement breaks as needed.

Introduction: Meet the Number 1

Hook

Hold up one favorite toy and say:

“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Can you show me one finger?”

Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count slowly together:

“One!”

Tell the Learner the Plan

Say:

“Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find one thing, move like number 1, make the number 1, and play a counting game.”

Body: Learn and Practice

1. I Do: Show the Number 1

1. Show the child a large numeral 1.
2. Say, “This is the number 1.”
3. Trace the number in the air with one finger.
4. Say, “Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”

Make the number 1 with your whole body by standing up straight. Say:

“I am tall like a number 1!”

2. We Do: Find One

Place several groups of objects in front of the child. For example, place one block in one group, two blocks in another group, and three blocks in a third group.

Guide the child to find the group with one object.

Ask:

• “Which group has one block?”
• “Can you touch one block?”
• “Can you give me one block?”

Count only the object being chosen:

“One. This group has one.”

3. Movement Game: One-Step Challenge

Give one direction at a time. Keep the activity playful.

• Take one step.
• Clap one time.
• Jump one time.
• Spin one time.
• Tap your knees one time.

After each action, ask:

“How many did you do?”

Encourage the child to answer, “One!”

4. We Do: Make a Number 1

Choose one of these options:

Play Dough Number 1

1. Roll one long piece of play dough.
2. Place it on the table in the shape of a 1.
3. Trace the shape with a finger while saying, “One.”

Number 1 Collage

1. Draw a large number 1 on paper.
2. Help the child decorate it with crayons or one sticker.
3. Ask, “How many stickers did we use?”
4. Answer together: “One sticker!”

5. You Do: Number 1 Hunt

Invite the child to look around the learning space and find things that come in groups of one.

Possible examples include:

• One nose
• One favorite toy
• One book
• One chair
• One spoon

For each item, ask:

“What did you find? How many?”

Let the child choose which one-item object to show or bring to you.

6. You Do: Trace and Write

1. Draw several large dotted number 1s.
2. Show the child how to trace from the top to the bottom.
3. Invite the child to trace three or four numbers.
4. Offer a blank space for the child to try making a 1 independently.

Use encouraging language:

“You started at the top and made a straight line. That looks like 1!”

Formative Assessment: Quick Checks

Ask the child to complete these tasks:

• Point to the number 1.
• Show one finger.
• Choose one object from a group.
• Give you one block or toy.
• Make a number 1 with a finger, crayon, or play dough.

Notice whether the child can count one object without continuing to count or adding more objects.

Real-World Connection

During the day, look for natural examples of one:

• One toothbrush
• One cup
• One hat
• One pet
• One bedtime story

Use simple language:

“We have one cup. One means just one.”

Differentiation and Choices

For a Child Who Needs More Support

• Use only groups of one and two objects.
• Guide the child’s finger while counting.
• Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
• Practice showing one finger several times.
• Allow pointing or choosing instead of answering aloud.

For a Child Ready for More Challenge

• Ask the child to find the numeral 1 among other numerals.
• Invite the child to draw one object next to the number 1.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
• Have the child make a set of one object independently.
• Look for the number 1 on a calendar, book, clock, or food package.

Learning Format Choices

• Hands-on: Use blocks, toys, or play dough.
• Movement-based: Complete the one-step challenge.
• Art-based: Decorate a large number 1.
• Outdoor: Find one leaf, one rock, or one flower.
• Digital: Show a numeral 1 on a screen and invite the child to trace it with a finger.

Summative Assessment: Show What You Know

Ask the child to complete this short demonstration:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Count one toy.
3. Give you one object.
4. Show one finger.
5. Trace or make a number 1.

The child is successful when they complete most tasks with little or no help.

Conclusion: Review and Celebrate

Review the lesson by saying:

“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We showed one finger, counted one toy, and made a number 1.”

Ask the child:

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

Finish with a celebration:

“You did one fantastic job learning about 1!”

Optional Follow-Up Activity

Read a short counting book or sing a simple song about one. While reading or singing, pause whenever the child hears “one” and invite them to hold up one finger.