All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
- Several safe objects for counting
- Paper and stickers, or dot markers
- Optional: a short counting song
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say that 1 means “one thing.”
- Count one object correctly.
- Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
- Find one object in everyday surroundings.
Success Criteria
I can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Make a number 1.
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy and say, “Look! I have one toy. Can you show me one finger?”
Say:
“Today we are learning about the number 1. The number 1 tells us about one thing. One means just one.”
Invite the child to repeat:
- “One toy.”
- “One finger.”
- “One number.”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Watch Me
- Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
- Point to it and say, “This is the number 1.”
- Hold up one finger and say, “One finger.”
- Place one toy on the table and say, “One toy.”
- Trace the number 1 slowly while saying, “Down, down, down. This is 1.”
Quick check: Ask, “Which number is 1?” Give the child a choice between the number 1 and another simple number or shape.
We Do: Count Together
Complete these activities together:
1. One-Finger Game
Say an action, and invite the child to do it one time:
- Clap one time.
- Jump one time.
- Tap the table one time.
- Give one wave.
2. Find One
Choose a safe area of the home. Take turns finding one item.
Use prompts such as:
- “Can you find one blue thing?”
- “Can you bring me one book?”
- “Can you find one soft thing?”
After each turn, count the item together: “One!”
3. Think, Choose, and Share
Place groups of objects on the table. Some groups should have one object, while others have two or more.
Ask:
- “Which group has one?”
- “How do you know?”
Let the child point, touch, and explain. If needed, count each group together.
You Do: Number 1 Play Stations
Choice A: Make a Number 1
Invite the child to trace a large number 1 using:
- A crayon
- A finger in the air
- A finger on the table
- A finger in a small tray of rice or flour
Say, “Start at the top and make one long line down.”
Choice B: One Sticker
Draw a large number 1 on paper. Ask the child to place exactly one sticker on it.
Say, “Let’s count: one sticker.”
Choice C: Feed the Toy One Snack
Use a stuffed animal or toy. Give it pretend food or safe objects one at a time.
Ask, “How many snacks will we give the toy?” Help the child give the toy exactly one.
Choice D: Number 1 Hunt
Look for the number 1 in books, calendars, signs, labels, or a phone keypad.
When the child finds one, say, “You found 1! Point to it.”
Real-World Connection
Explain that we use the number 1 every day:
- One nose
- One sun in the sky
- One home
- One turn in a game
- One spoon for eating
Ask, “What is one thing you can see right now?”
Formative Assessment: Quick Checks
During the lesson, check whether the child can:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Show one finger.
- Count one object without adding more objects.
- Choose a group containing one item.
- Attempt to trace or write 1.
Give specific feedback:
- “You showed one finger. That means 1!”
- “You counted one toy carefully.”
- “You started at the top and made a line down.”
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Invite the child to complete this mini challenge:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Choose one object from a group.
- Put one sticker or dot on a paper.
- Trace or draw the number 1.
Celebrate effort and say, “You learned that 1 means one thing!”
Conclusion and Recap
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “How many things does 1 mean?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing in the room?”
End with a simple chant:
“One, one, number 1!
One finger, one toy, learning is fun!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use only two choices at a time: 1 or another number.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find three different examples of one.
- Have the child make the number 1 using blocks or play dough.
- Ask the child to draw one sun, one flower, or one person.
- Invite the child to compare one object with a group of more than one.
Optional Follow-Up
Throughout the day, notice examples of one. Say, “I see one spoon,” or “You have one shoe in your hand.” Let the child lead a family member on a “number 1 hunt.”