Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper with the number 1
- Small objects to count, such as blocks, toy animals, buttons, or crayons
- Paper and crayons or washable markers
- 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 number 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one item when asked.
- Trace or make a simple number 1.
- Use the word “one” in a sentence.
Success Criteria
I can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Say, “One!”
- Make a number 1 with my finger, crayon, or play dough.
Introduction: “One Special Thing”
Teacher or parent says: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing. Can you find one finger?”
Hold up one finger and invite the child to copy you. Say together:
“One finger. One nose. One sun!”
Show the child the large number 1. Trace it in the air with your finger and say:
“This is the number 1. We say one.”
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: Show What One Means
Place several objects on the table. Pick up just one object.
Say: “I have one block. One block means there is not a lot. There is just one.”
Touch the object once while counting slowly: “One.”
Repeat with different objects, such as:
- One toy animal
- One crayon
- One button
- One stuffed animal
Quick check: Ask, “How many blocks did I pick up?” Encourage the child to answer, “One.”
2. We Do: Find One
Place groups of objects on the table. Make some groups have one object and others have two or three.
Say: “Let’s find the group with one. Touch the group that has one object.”
Practice together. Count each group slowly. Help the child touch each object only once.
Ask simple questions:
- “Which group has one?”
- “Can you give me one block?”
- “Can you put one toy in the box?”
- “Do you have one crayon or many crayons?”
3. Movement Game: “Show Me One!”
Invite the child to move in different ways. Give one instruction at a time:
- “Do one clap.”
- “Take one jump.”
- “Stomp one foot.”
- “Spin one time.”
- “Touch one knee.”
Pause after each movement and say, “We did one!”
4. We Do: Make the Number 1
Show the child how to make a number 1:
- Start at the top.
- Make a straight line down.
Let the child practice in several ways:
- Trace the number 1 with a finger.
- Draw the number 1 with a crayon.
- Make the number 1 with play dough.
- Trace the number 1 in the air.
Encouraging words: “You started at the top and made one straight line. That looks like 1!”
5. You Do: One-Object Hunt
Invite the child to look around the room and find things that come in ones.
Say: “Can you find one thing? Bring me just one safe object.”
Possible examples include:
- One book
- One sock
- One toy
- One spoon
- One stuffed animal
After each item, ask, “How many did you bring?” Help the child answer, “One.”
6. Creative Choice Activity
Let the child choose one activity:
- One Picture: Draw one sun, one flower, or one favorite toy.
- One Collage: Glue one large shape onto paper.
- One Play Dough Creation: Make one ball, one snake, or one animal.
- One Story: Tell a short story about one character doing one thing.
Ask the child to describe the creation using the word “one.” For example: “I made one blue ball.”
Formative Assessment
Throughout the lesson, observe whether the child can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Count one object correctly.
- Give one object when asked.
- Follow a one-movement direction.
- Attempt to draw or form the number 1.
If the child gives more than one object, gently say, “Let’s try again. One means just one,” and model the action.
Summative Assessment: “Number 1 Show-and-Tell”
Ask the child to complete these four tasks:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Show one finger.
- Make or trace the number 1.
Mastery goal: The child completes at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.
Conclusion and Recap
Hold up the number 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many fingers am I showing?”
- “Can you give me one clap?”
Recite together:
“One means just one. One finger, one toy, and one number: 1!”
Celebrate the child’s work with a high five or one big hug.
Differentiation and Support
- For extra support: Use only one object and one group at a time. Guide the child’s hand as needed.
- For visual learners: Use a large, colorful number 1 and point to each object while counting.
- For movement learners: Practice one jump, one clap, and one step.
- For language development: Repeat short phrases such as, “One block,” “I see one,” and “I have one.”
- For an added challenge: Ask the child to find three different things that come in ones or compare a group of one with a group of two.
Real-World Connection
During the day, look for examples of one: one cup, one plate, one door, one nose, or one sun. Each time the child finds one, say, “You found one!”