The Amazing Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
• Number cards, including the number 1 and a few other numbers
• Play dough or clay
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: a favorite song or music for movement

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say the number name “one.”
• Count one object.
• Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
• Find examples of “one” in everyday life.

Success Criteria

Success looks like this:

• “I can point to the number 1.”
• “I can show one thing.”
• “I can say one.”
• “I can try to write or build a 1.”

Introduction: The Number 1 Hunt

Hook: Hold up one finger and ask, “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Say: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing. One teddy bear. One spoon. One big smile!”

Show and tell: Show the numeral 1. Trace it in the air with your finger while saying:

“Down we go. This is a 1!”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Teacher or Parent Models

1. Place one block on the table.
2. Point to it and say slowly, “One block.”
3. Show the number card 1 and say, “This is the number one.”
4. Hold up one finger and say, “One finger.”
5. Draw a large 1 while saying, “Start at the top and go down.”

Quick check: Ask, “Can you show me one finger?” Then ask, “Can you find the number 1?”

We Do: Learn Together

Activity 1: Show Me One

Place several small groups of objects on the table. Some groups should have one object, and some should have two or more.

Say: “Find the group with one thing.” Help the child count each group by touching one object at a time.

Repeat with different objects:

• One block
• One toy animal
• One crayon
• One button

Activity 2: Number 1 Movement Game

Give simple movement directions:

• “Take one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Touch one toe.”
• “Spin one time.”

After each action, ask, “How many did we do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”

Activity 3: Find One

Walk around the home and look for things that come in groups of one. Examples include:

• One front door
• One refrigerator
• One favorite toy
• One nose
• One moon in the sky

Ask, “What is one thing you found?”

You Do: Child Practices

Activity 4: Make the Number 1

Invite the child to choose one way to make a 1:

• Trace a large 1 with a crayon.
• Build a 1 with play dough.
• Make a 1 using blocks or small craft materials.
• Draw a 1 in the air or on the table with a finger.

Say: “Start at the top and go down. You are making a 1!”

Activity 5: One-Object Picture

Ask the child to draw a picture with exactly one object. The child might draw one sun, one flower, one cat, or one balloon.

When finished, ask:

• “What did you draw?”
• “How many did you draw?”
• “Can you write or trace the number 1 beside it?”

Formative Assessment

Check understanding throughout the lesson by asking the child to:

• Point to the number 1 among two or three number cards.
• Give you one object.
• Count one object aloud.
• Show one finger.
• Trace or build the number 1.

Real-World Connection

Explain: “We use the number 1 when we talk about one cup, one cookie, one shoe, or one person. Numbers help us tell how many things we have.”

Differentiation

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1.
• Use large materials that are easy to hold.
• Repeat the same words: “One means one thing.”
• Let the child answer by pointing, showing a finger, or speaking.

For More Challenge

• Ask the child to find the number 1 in books, signs, or calendars.
• Invite the child to sort groups with one object from groups with more than one.
• Ask the child to make a collection of one object in several different ways.
• Compare one and two: “Which group has one? Which group has more?”

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Review the lesson by saying:

“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one thing. We practiced showing one, finding one, counting one, and making a 1.”

Ask the child:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you bring me one toy?”
• “Can you make a number 1?”

Final Demonstration

Give the child three number cards and three small groups of objects. Ask the child to:

1. Choose the number 1.
2. Match it to a group with one object.
3. Say, “One.”
4. Draw or build a number 1.

Optional Closing Song

Sing to the tune of a familiar simple song:

“One little finger, tap, tap, tap.
One little finger, clap, clap, clap.
One is the number we learned today.
One little finger—hooray!”