The Number 1 Adventure

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
• Several safe household objects, such as spoons, socks, or blocks
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: number cards or homemade cards labeled 1–3

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.
• Find and trace or draw the number 1.
• Show one object when asked.

Success Looks Like

• “I can find the number 1.”
• “I can count one object: 1.”
• “I can show one finger.”
• “I can make a number 1.”

Introduction: The One-Object Surprise

Hook: Hide one favorite toy under a cloth or behind your back.

Say: “I have a surprise! How many toys do you think I have?” Reveal the toy and say, “I have one toy. One means just one.”

Invite the child to hold up one finger. Say:

“This is one finger. Let’s say it together: one!”

Tell the Learner

“Today we will learn about the number 1. We will count one thing, find the number 1, and make our own number 1.”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Watch Me Count One

1. Place one object on the table.
2. Point to it and say slowly, “One.”
3. Show the numeral 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
4. Say, “This is what the number 1 looks like. It tells us there is one thing.”
5. Trace the number while saying, “Down, down, down. This is 1.”

Quick Check: Ask, “How many toys are here?” Help the child answer, “One.”

We Do: One or More?

Place objects in small groups. Make some groups with one object and some groups with two or three objects.

Say:

“Let’s look carefully. Which group has one?”

1. Let the child point to a group.
2. Count the objects together.
3. Celebrate correct answers: “Yes! There is one block.”
4. If the answer is incorrect, say, “Let’s count together. One, two. That group has two. Let’s find one.”

Move and Count

Give simple movement directions:

• “Take one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Touch one chair.”
• “Pick up one block.”
• “Give the toy one hug.”

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

You Do: Number 1 Treasure Hunt

Invite the child to look around the room and find objects that come in groups of one.

Say:

“Find one sock. Now find one book. Can you bring me one toy?”

Give the child a choice:

• Find one object in the room.
• Build a tower with one block.
• Draw one object.
• Make a group of one using buttons, blocks, or toys.

Creative Activity: Make a Number 1

1. Draw a large number 1 on paper.
2. Invite the child to trace it with a finger.
3. Let the child decorate the number with crayons or stickers.
4. Ask the child to draw one picture beside it, such as one sun, one flower, or one balloon.

Use simple language:

“You made the number 1. You also drew one picture. One and one!”

Formative Assessment: Show Me One

Ask the child to complete these tasks:

1. “Show me one finger.”
2. “Give me one block.”
3. “Point to the number 1.”
4. “How many toys are here?” while showing one toy.
5. “Can you trace the number 1?”

Give specific feedback:

• “You gave me exactly one block.”
• “You found the number 1.”
• “You counted carefully.”
• “Let’s try tracing from the top to the bottom.”

Real-World Connection

During the day, point out examples of one:

• One nose
• One mouth
• One favorite toy
• One cup
• One moon in the sky

Say, “We use numbers to tell how many things we have. The number 1 tells us there is one thing.”

Differentiation

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Give the child a number 1 card to hold while counting.
• Guide the child’s hand as they trace the number.
• Repeat the same activities with songs and movement.
• Use short directions, such as “Show one.”

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or sign.
• Mix number cards 1, 2, and 3 and ask the child to find 1.
• Ask, “Can you bring me one red object?”
• Invite the child to write the number 1 independently.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?” and count to two together.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Hold up the number 1 and ask:

• “What number is this?”
• “How many things does 1 mean?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”

Say together:

“One means one thing. One looks like 1. I can find, count, and make the number 1!”

Simple Closing Song

Sing to any familiar tune:

“One little finger, point up high,
One little sun shines in the sky.
One means one, now we know,
Number 1—way to go!”

Summative Assessment

Ask the child to complete this mini-challenge without help:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Place one object in a cup or basket.
3. Show one finger.
4. Say the word “one.”
5. Trace or draw the number 1.

Mastery: The child completes at least four of the five tasks, with encouragement as needed.

Optional Follow-Up

Throughout the week, play “Find One.” Ask the child to find one spoon, one shoe, one book, or one toy. Celebrate each discovery by saying, “You found one!”