One Is Fun! Learning the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon, marker, or pencil
• One small toy or household object
• Several safe objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
• Paper plate or sheet of paper
• Optional: play dough, music, or a short counting song

Learning Objectives

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

• Say the number “1.”
• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Count one object correctly.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Point to 1 when given a choice of numbers.
• Give the adult one object.
• Count “one” while touching one object.
• Make a reasonable attempt to draw or trace 1.

Introduction: One Special Thing

Hook: Hold up one favorite toy and say, “Look! I have one toy. How many toys do I have?”

Let the child answer. Say, “Yes! I have one toy. Today we will learn about the number 1.”

Tell the child: “We will find one thing, count one thing, play a one game, and make the number 1.”

Body of the Lesson

1. I Do: Meet the Number 1

1. Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
2. Point to it and say slowly, “This is the number one. One means just one thing.”
3. Hold up one finger and say, “I have one finger up.”
4. Place one object on the table. Touch it once and say, “One.”
5. Show a group of two or three objects and say, “This is more than one. One means only one.”

Quick check: Ask, “Can you show me one finger?” Praise the child’s effort and gently help if needed.

2. We Do: Find One

Place several safe objects nearby. Work together to find exactly one of each kind.

1. Say, “Let’s find one block.” Help the child choose one block.
2. Say, “Let’s find one toy animal.” Help the child choose one toy animal.
3. Say, “Let’s find one crayon.” Help the child choose one crayon.
4. Count each object by touching it once: “One.”

Think and talk:

• “How many blocks did we choose?”
• “Can you give me one toy?”
• “What is one thing you see in the room?”

3. Movement Game: One, Stop!

Play music or clap a rhythm. When the music stops, give the child a simple instruction:

• “Take one big jump!”
• “Clap one time!”
• “Turn around one time!”
• “Touch one object!”

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

4. We Do: Make a Number 1

Show the child how to make the numeral 1.

1. Say, “Start at the top.”
2. Move your finger straight down.
3. Say, “This is one.”

Have the child:

• Trace the large numeral 1 with a finger.
• Trace it with a crayon or marker.
• Make a 1 in the air.
• Make a 1 with play dough, if available.

Helpful language: “Straight down makes a one.”

5. You Do: One Hunt

Invite the child to choose one of these activities:

• Home Hunt: Find one spoon, one sock, or one book.
• Nature Hunt: Find one leaf, one pebble, or one flower, without picking living plants.
• Toy Hunt: Find one favorite toy and place it on a paper plate.

Ask the child to show the object and say, “I found one.”

6. Creative Activity: My One Picture

Ask the child to draw one thing on a sheet of paper. They may draw:

• One sun
• One person
• One animal
• One house
• One favorite toy

Help the child write or trace 1 on the picture. Ask, “What is your one thing?”

Formative Assessment: Show Me One

Give the child short challenges:

1. “Show me one finger.”
2. “Give me one block.”
3. “Point to the number 1.”
4. “Count this one toy.”
5. “Make a 1 in the air.”

Give specific feedback, such as:

• “You gave me exactly one block.”
• “You touched the object one time while counting.”
• “You started at the top and moved down to make your 1.”

Summative Assessment: One Café

Pretend to run a tiny café or toy shop. Ask the child to serve exactly one item at a time.

1. “Please give me one cup.”
2. “Please give me one pretend snack.”
3. “Please give me one spoon.”
4. “Can you write or trace the number 1 on my order?”

Assessment goal: The child should give one object, identify one object, and make a reasonable attempt at the numeral 1.

Differentiation and Support

• For extra support: Use only one object and one clear choice. Guide the child’s hand while counting and tracing.
• Use all senses: Say “one,” show one finger, touch one object, and move one time.
• For a child ready for more: Ask the child to find several groups that each have one object, such as one block, one car, and one spoon.
• For digital learning: Hold one object up to the camera, draw 1 on screen, or invite the child to find one item nearby.
• For a shorter lesson: Complete the introduction, “Find One,” and the final assessment.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Hold up one finger and ask:

• “What number is this?”
• “How many fingers are up?”
• “Can you find one thing?”

Say together:

“One means just one. The number 1 shows one thing.”

Optional Follow-Up

During the day, look for examples of one: one door, one nose, one sun, or one bedtime story. Each time, say, “That is one!”