All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Number cards or a paper with the number 1
- Small objects, such as blocks, toy animals, or buttons
- One favorite toy
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Say the number 1.
- Count one object.
- 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 know I am successful when I can point to 1, say ‘one,’ show one object, and make a number 1.”
Introduction: One Special Thing
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child one favorite toy.
Say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going to learn about the number 1!”
Ask:
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “How many noses do you have?”
- “Can you find one toy near you?”
Let the child answer by speaking, pointing, or showing an object.
Body: Learn and Practice
1. I Do: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show a large number 1.
Say:
“This is the number 1. It is called one. The number 1 tells us there is one thing.”
Use one block as you speak:
“I have one block. Let’s count it: one.”
Trace the number 1 slowly with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top. Go down. That makes 1.”
Invite the child to watch, listen, and trace the number in the air with one finger.
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 7 minutes
Place several groups of objects in front of the child. Make some groups contain one object and others contain two or more objects.
Say:
“Let’s find the group with one.”
Take turns pointing to groups.
Ask:
- “Which group has one block?”
- “Which group has more than one?”
- “Can you touch just one animal?”
Give specific feedback:
“You found one block. You counted carefully!”
3. Movement Game: One-Step Freeze
Time: 5 minutes
Play music or clap a simple rhythm.
When the music stops, give one-step directions:
- “Take one big step.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Jump one time.”
- “Spin one time.”
After each action, ask:
“How many times did you jump?”
Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
4. We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Give the child play dough or modeling clay.
Model how to roll the dough into a long piece and shape it like the number 1.
Say:
“Let’s make 1. We can make a straight line going down.”
Then invite the child to:
- Build a number 1 with play dough.
- Trace a number 1 with a finger.
- Draw a number 1 with a crayon or marker.
The child may choose one or more ways to make the number.
5. You Do: One-Object Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to look around the room and find things that come in ones.
Possible examples include:
- One door
- One table
- One favorite toy
- One nose
- One sun in the sky
For each item, ask:
“What did you find? How many are there?”
Help the child say:
“I found one ____.”
6. Creative Choice Activity
Time: 5–10 minutes
Let the child choose one activity:
- Number Art: Decorate a large number 1 with one sticker, one dot, or one favorite color.
- Snack Math: Put one cracker or one fruit piece on a plate and count it together.
- Story Play: Make up a story about one little toy going on an adventure.
- Number Hunt: Look for the number 1 in books, labels, calendars, or a phone keypad.
Quick Checks for Understanding
Ask the child to complete these tasks:
- Point to the number 1.
- Say the number shown.
- Give you one object.
- Show one finger.
- Make a number 1 in the air.
Accept pointing, gestures, spoken answers, or demonstrations. Repeat the activity gently if the child needs more practice.
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Time: 5 minutes
Place three small groups of objects in front of the child. Ask the child to:
- Find the group with one object.
- Give you one object.
- Point to the number 1.
- Say “one.”
- Trace or draw the number 1.
Meeting the objective: The child completes most tasks with little or no help.
Still practicing: The child needs reminders or help. Continue using real objects and short games during daily routines.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Hold up the number 1 and say:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We found one object, moved one time, and made the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you name one thing you found?”
End with encouragement:
“You worked hard with the number 1!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For a Child Needing More Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
- Repeat the words “one” and “just one” often.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Keep activities short and repeat them throughout the day.
For a Child Ready for More
- Ask the child to compare one object with two objects.
- Invite the child to find the number 1 in several places.
- Ask the child to draw one object beside the number 1.
- Practice writing 1 independently.
- Talk about things that come in ones, such as one moon or one nose.
Everyday Follow-Up
During the day, look for chances to practice one:
- “Please bring me one spoon.”
- “Let’s take one step to the door.”
- “You may choose one book.”
- “Let’s put one toy in the box.”