Number 1: One Special Thing

Materials Needed

• One large paper or card with the number 1
• Small objects such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or crayons
• Paper
• Crayons or washable markers
• Play dough or clay
• Optional: a book or song about the number one

Learning Objectives

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

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

Success Criteria

I can:

• Point to the number 1.
• Say, “One!”
• Give you one object.
• Make a number 1 with a crayon, finger, or play dough.

Introduction: One Big Surprise

Time: 5 minutes

Place one favorite toy in a small bag or box. Let the child guess what is inside.

Say:

“Look! There is one toy in the bag. One means just one. Today we will learn about the number 1!”

Show the numeral 1. Trace it in the air with your finger and say:

“This is the number 1. It looks like a straight line.”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Show and Explain

Time: 5 minutes

1. Place one block on the table.
2. Touch it and count slowly: “One.”
3. Show the number card and say: “The number 1 tells us there is one block.”
4. Show one finger and say: “I have one finger up.”
5. Draw the number 1 slowly while saying: “Start at the top. Go straight down.”

Quick Check: Ask, “How many blocks do you see?” Help the child answer, “One.”

We Do: Find One

Time: 8 minutes

Place groups of objects on the floor or table. Some groups should have one object, and others should have two or more.

Take turns finding a group with one object.

1. Say, “Let’s look for one.”
2. When the child finds a group, touch each object together.
3. If there is only one, say, “Yes! One toy.”
4. If there is more than one, say, “Let’s count. One, two. That is more than one.”

Think and Share: Ask the child to name one thing they see in the room, such as one chair, one table, or one stuffed animal.

Movement Game: One-Step Adventure

Time: 5 minutes

Give simple directions that use the word one:

• Take one step.
• Clap one time.
• Jump one time.
• Touch one toy.
• Give one high-five.

Let the child make one direction for the adult to follow.

You Do: Make the Number 1

Time: 10 minutes

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

• Trace a large number 1 with a crayon.
• Draw the number 1 in the air.
• Make the number 1 with play dough.
• Build the number 1 with blocks.
• Paint the number 1 with a finger.

As the child works, use short prompts:

• “Where do you start?”
• “Which way does your line go?”
• “What number did you make?”

Real-Life Activity: One Snack

Time: 5 minutes

Give the child one small snack, such as one cracker, one fruit piece, or one pretzel.

Say:

“You have one snack. Can you show me one finger? Can you count your snack?”

If appropriate, give a few more snacks one at a time and count together.

Formative Assessment

During the lesson, observe whether the child can:

• Point to the numeral 1 when given several numerals.
• Choose one object from a group.
• Count one object without adding another number.
• Follow a direction involving one action.
• Attempt to draw or build the number 1.

Summative Assessment: Number 1 Show-and-Tell

Ask the child to complete these four tasks:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Give you one object.
3. Show one finger.
4. Make or trace the number 1.

Celebrate effort and say something specific, such as:

“You gave me one block and made a number 1. You know that one means just one!”

Conclusion and Recap

Time: 3 minutes

Review the lesson with a short chant:

“One, one, one! One finger, one toy, one big smile—fun!”

Ask:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one thing?”

Finish by letting the child choose one favorite activity from the lesson to repeat.

Differentiation and Support

• For extra support: Use only one object at a time. Guide the child’s hand as they trace the numeral. Repeat the word one often.
• For a child ready for more: Have the child find the number 1 in a book, write it beside one object, or compare groups of one and two.
• For movement-loving learners: Practice with one jump, one clap, or one dance move.
• For visual learners: Use a large, colorful numeral 1 and place one matching sticker beside it.
• For sensory learners: Trace the number 1 in sand, rice, shaving foam, or play dough.

Optional Extension

Go on a “Number 1 Hunt.” Together, find one example of the number 1 in the home, such as on a clock, book, calendar, remote control, or food package.