Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Paper and crayons
- Number cards or a handwritten card showing 1
- Small objects, such as blocks, toy animals, buttons, or snacks
- A small basket or bowl
- Play dough
- 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 word “one.”
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Make or trace the shape of the number 1.
Success Criteria
Success looks like this:
- “I can find the number 1.”
- “I can give you one thing.”
- “I can count one object.”
- “I can make a number 1.”
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Hook
Hold up one favorite toy or object and say:
“Look! I have one teddy bear. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Celebrate the response with a high five or a cheerful clap.
Tell the Learner
Say:
“Today we are going to learn about the number 1. One means just one thing. We will find one, count one, and make the number 1.”
Body: Learn and Practice
1. I Do: Show the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
- Show the child a number card with 1.
- Point to it and say, “This is the number 1. We say one.”
- Hold up one finger and say, “One finger.”
- Place one object in a bowl and say, “One block.”
- Trace the number 1 in the air with your finger.
Use a simple movement for the number 1:
“Start at the top, go down. That makes a 1.”
Quick Check
Ask:
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “How many blocks are in the bowl?”
- “Which card shows 1?”
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 7 minutes
Place several objects in front of the child. Give clear directions:
- “Please pick up one block.”
- “Put one toy in the basket.”
- “Give me one crayon.”
- “Can you find one soft thing?”
Count together each time. Touch the object and say:
“One. There is one.”
Think and Talk
Ask the child:
- “Can you find one shoe?”
- “Can you find one book?”
- “What is one thing you like?”
Accept spoken answers, pointing, gestures, or bringing an object.
3. We Do: Number 1 Movement Game
Time: 5 minutes
Play music or clap a steady beat. Give one-action directions:
- “Do one jump.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Turn around one time.”
- “Touch one toe.”
Pause after each action and count aloud together: “One!”
4. You Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace a large number 1 with a crayon.
- Make a number 1 with play dough.
- Build a number 1 with blocks.
- Draw a number 1 in the air.
- Make a number 1 using a finger in flour, sand, or rice.
Give gentle guidance:
“Start at the top. Make a line going down. You made a 1!”
5. Real-World One Hunt
Time: 5 minutes
Go on a short search around the home. Ask the child to find items that come in groups of one.
Possible examples include:
- One front door
- One table
- One pillow
- One toothbrush
- One favorite toy
For each item, say:
“You found one ____. One means just one.”
Assessment
Formative Assessment
During the activities, notice whether the child can:
- Point to or identify the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Choose one object.
- Count one object without adding more objects.
- Follow a one-action direction.
If the child is unsure, model the answer and try again. Say:
“Watch me. I pick one. Now you try.”
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Ask the child to complete these four tasks:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Show one finger.
- Make a number 1 using a crayon, play dough, or blocks.
The child meets the goal when they complete most tasks with little or no help.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Review the lesson using simple sentences:
- “Today we learned the number 1.”
- “One means just one.”
- “We can show one finger.”
- “We can count one toy.”
- “We can make a number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one?”
- “What is one thing you enjoyed?”
End with a celebration:
“You found, counted, and made the number 1. Great learning!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use large objects that are easy to see and hold.
- Practice with only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1.
- Use repeated phrases such as, “One means just one.”
- Allow the child to answer by pointing, moving, or showing a finger.
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in books, signs, or a calendar.
- Invite the child to draw one object next to the number 1.
- Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
- Ask, “Which group has one?”
- Have the child make a simple number 1 collage using one sticker, one stamp, or one paper shape.
Optional Follow-Up Activity
Create a “Number 1 Page.” Write a large 1 on a sheet of paper. Let the child decorate it with one drawing, one sticker, or one fingerprint. Say the number word together as the child works.