Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or marker
- One small toy or stuffed animal
- Several safe household objects, such as blocks, spoons, or socks
- Paper and crayons
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize and name the number 1.
- Count one object correctly.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or try to write the number 1.
- Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.
Success Criteria
Success looks like this:
- “I can say one.”
- “I can find one thing.”
- “I can count one object.”
- “I can try to make the number 1.”
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. Can you hold up one finger?”
Tell the child:
“Today we are going to play with the number 1. One means just one thing. We will find one, count one, and make the number 1.”
Quick Talk
- “How many toys am I holding?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: I Show the Number 1
Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
Say:
“This is the number 1. It is called one. It looks like a straight line.”
Trace the number slowly while saying:
“Down we go to make a 1.”
Place one toy on the table.
Say:
“I see one toy. Let’s count it: one.”
Quick Check: Ask, “How many toys are on the table?” Encourage the child to answer, “One.”
We Do: Find One
Place a small group of objects nearby. For example, use three blocks, two spoons, and one sock.
Invite the child to play:
- Ask the child to find one block.
- Ask the child to hand you one spoon.
- Ask the child to choose one object.
- Count each chosen object together: “One!”
Use simple questions:
- “Can you give me one block?”
- “Show me one spoon.”
- “Do you have one object or many objects?”
Movement Game: One-Step Actions
Say one action at a time. The child performs the action one time.
- “Take one jump.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Turn around one time.”
- “Tap your knees one time.”
After each action, ask: “How many times did you do it?”
We Do: Make the Number 1
Use a finger to trace the number 1 in the air.
Say:
“Watch my finger. Start at the top and go straight down. That makes a 1.”
Then trace together:
- Trace the large number 1 with a finger.
- Trace it with a crayon.
- Make a number 1 using a finger in the air.
- Make a number 1 using a toy, block, or piece of string.
You Do: Number 1 Hunt
Invite the child to look around the room and find things that show one.
Possible examples include:
- One nose
- One mouth
- One sun in a drawing or book
- One favorite stuffed animal
- One cup on the table
Each time the child finds something, ask:
“How many did you find?”
Encourage the answer: “One!”
You Do: Draw One
Give the child paper and crayons.
Invite the child to choose one activity:
- Draw one big circle.
- Draw one flower.
- Draw one toy.
- Decorate one large number 1.
Ask the child to tell you about the picture:
“What is your one thing?”
Do not worry about perfect writing. Praise effort and say:
“You tried to make a 1. You started at the top and went down.”
Formative Assessment: Check Along the Way
Notice whether the child can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Say “one.”
- Give or show one object.
- Count one object without adding more.
- Try to trace or form the number 1.
If needed, offer choices:
“Is this number 1 or number 2?”
Real-World Connection
Explain that people use the number 1 every day:
- One person can hold one cup.
- One child can wear one hat.
- We can eat one banana.
- A family may have one pet.
Ask: “What is one thing you use today?”
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Give the child three simple challenges:
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Give me one object.”
- “Try to draw the number 1.”
Celebrate completion with a high-five, sticker, song, or happy dance.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Review the lesson together:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We found one, counted one, moved one time, and tried to write 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing before we finish?”
End with a short chant:
“One, one, number one! Learning numbers is lots of fun!”
Differentiation and Extensions
For Extra Support
- Use only two objects at a time: one and many.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting one object.
- Use a large number 1 for tracing.
- Repeat the same activities on another day.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or on a calendar.
- Sort objects into groups of one.
- Ask, “What comes after 1?” and introduce 2 if the child is ready.
- Invite the child to make a page with one sticker, one drawing, and one number 1.
Optional Follow-Up Activity
During the day, play “I Spy One.” Say:
“I spy one red thing!”
Take turns finding one object in the room. Keep the game playful and stop when the child loses interest.