Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
- Several small objects, such as buttons, pom-poms, or blocks
- Paper and stickers
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say the number word one.
- Count one object correctly.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or try to write the numeral 1.
Success Criteria
“I can show one thing, say one, find the number 1, and try to write 1.”
Introduction: The Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up one toy or stuffed animal. Say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one.”
Invite the child to touch the toy once while saying, “One!” Repeat with one clap, one jump, and one tap.
Ask:
- “How many toys do I have?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you give me one clap?”
Tell the child:
“Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find it, count one thing, and practice making it.”
Body: Learn and Practice
1. I Do: See and Hear the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard. Point to it and say:
“This is the number 1. We say one.”
Show one object beside the numeral 1. Say:
“The number 1 tells us there is one object.”
Trace the numeral slowly with your finger while saying:
“Down we go. This is 1.”
Make one sound, such as one clap or one drum tap, and connect it to the numeral:
“I made one sound. One matches the number 1.”
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Place groups of objects in front of the child: one block, two blocks, and three blocks. Ask the child to find the group with one object.
Use simple directions:
- “Look at the groups.”
- “Find the group with one.”
- “Touch the one object.”
- “Say, ‘One!’”
Repeat with different objects. Let the child choose the objects when possible.
Quick check: Hold up one object and then several objects. Ask, “Which group shows one?” Praise careful looking and counting.
3. Movement Game: One-Move Fun
Time: 5 minutes
Say an action and have the child do it exactly one time:
- One jump
- One clap
- One spin
- One wave
- One toe touch
After each action, ask, “How many did you do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One.”
For extra fun, let the child choose an action for the adult or a stuffed animal to do one time.
4. We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Model making the numeral 1 with a finger in the air. Say:
“Start at the top. Draw a straight line down.”
Invite the child to:
- Draw 1 in the air.
- Trace 1 on the table with a finger.
- Trace a large 1 on paper.
- Try writing 1 with a crayon or marker.
Do not worry about perfect writing. Say:
“You tried to make the number 1. Your line goes down.”
5. You Do: One-Object Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Ask the child to find one safe object in the room. The child may choose a book, toy, sock, spoon, or another appropriate item.
Use these steps:
- “Find one object.”
- “Bring just one object.”
- “Tell me what it is.”
- “How many objects did you bring?”
Repeat once or twice if the child is interested. Let the child choose the search area or object type.
6. Creative Activity: One Sticker Picture
Time: 7 minutes
Give the child a piece of paper with a large numeral 1 written on it. Ask the child to place one sticker on or beside the numeral.
Then invite the child to decorate the paper with lines, dots, or colors. Keep reminding the child:
“You used one sticker. One sticker means 1.”
If stickers are unavailable, the child can draw one dot, one star, or one small object.
Formative Assessment
Throughout the lesson, check understanding by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give one object.
- Choose one object from a group.
- Say “one.”
- Trace or attempt to write 1.
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects nearby and ask the child to complete the following tasks:
- “Show me the number 1.”
- “Give me one object.”
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Say the number.”
- “Try to write or trace 1.”
The child is successful when they complete most of the tasks with little or no help.
Differentiation and Support
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object and a group of several objects at first.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
- Use large objects and a large numeral 1.
- Repeat the same language: “One means just one.”
- Allow pointing, showing fingers, or gestures instead of speaking.
For a Child Ready for a Challenge
- Ask the child to find the numeral 1 among other numerals.
- Invite the child to make groups containing one object.
- Ask, “Can you find one red thing?” or “Can you bring one soft thing?”
- Practice writing 1 several times using different materials, such as chalk, playdough, or sand.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?” and introduce the idea of two.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Show the numeral 1 again and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many is one?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Recap together:
“Today we learned that 1 means one. We found one object, made one movement, and practiced writing 1.”
End with one celebratory clap and say:
“You did one wonderful job learning about 1!”
Optional Everyday Practice
- Count one spoon at snack time.
- Find one shoe, one book, or one toy.
- Ask the child to bring one item when helping at home.
- Look for the numeral 1 on a clock, calendar, book, or package.