Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon, marker, or pencil
- One small toy or household object
- Number cards, including a large card with the number 1
- Play dough, blocks, or small counters
- Paper and stickers
- A children’s counting book or 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 accurately.
- Trace or make the number 1.
- Find examples of one object in everyday life.
Success Criteria
I can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one object when asked.
- Say, “This is one.”
- Try to write or build the number 1.
Introduction: Hook and Objectives (5 minutes)
Hold up one favorite toy or one household object.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. Can you hold up one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger and repeat: “One!”
Explain: “Today we will play and learn about the number 1. One means just one thing.”
Body: Learn and Practice
1. I Do: Meet the Number 1 (5 minutes)
Show the number card with 1.
Say slowly: “This is the number 1. It is called one.”
Use one finger to trace the number in the air while saying:
“Start at the top, go down. That makes a 1.”
Show one object next to the numeral 1.
Say: “The number 1 tells us there is one object.”
2. We Do: One or More? (5 minutes)
Place one object in front of the child. Ask:
- “How many objects do you see?”
- “Can you touch one object?”
- “Can you give me one block?”
Repeat with different objects, such as one spoon, one sock, or one book.
Next, place several objects together. Ask the child to choose just one.
Give encouragement: “You chose one block. Great counting!”
3. Movement Game: Find One (5–7 minutes)
Invite the child to walk around the room and find:
- One book
- One shoe
- One pillow
- One toy
After each find, count together: “One!”
Let the child choose one safe object to find next. This gives the child a choice and makes the activity feel like a treasure hunt.
4. We Do: Build the Number 1 (5 minutes)
Use play dough, blocks, or a finger to make the shape of the number 1.
Say: “Let’s make a 1. It goes down like this.”
Make one together, then invite the child to make one independently.
Ask: “What number did you make?”
5. You Do: Trace and Create (7–10 minutes)
Draw several large number 1s on paper. Invite the child to:
- Trace each 1 with a finger.
- Trace each 1 with a crayon or marker.
- Decorate one number 1 with stickers.
- Draw one object beside the number 1.
Say: “You made a 1. Now draw one thing to show what 1 means.”
6. Counting Song and Quick Check (3–5 minutes)
Sing a short counting song or chant while holding up one finger:
“One little finger, tap, tap, tap!
One little finger, clap, clap, clap!”
Ask the child to complete these prompts:
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Give me one object.”
- “Point to the number 1.”
Real-World Connection
Look around the home for examples of one:
- One front door
- One nose
- One sun in the sky
- One favorite toy
- One spoon for snack time
Explain: “We use numbers to tell how many things we have.”
Assessment
Formative Assessment
During the activities, observe whether the child can:
- Identify the numeral 1.
- Choose one object from a group.
- Count one object without adding extra numbers.
- Follow the steps for making the number 1.
Give specific feedback, such as: “You touched only one block and counted it correctly.”
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Place three different groups of objects nearby. Ask the child to:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Make the number 1 using a crayon, finger, play dough, or blocks.
- Tell you what 1 means.
Expected response: “One means one thing.”
Conclusion and Recap (3 minutes)
Hold up the number card again and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many things does 1 mean?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Review together: “Today we learned that 1 means one thing. We found one object, built a 1, and practiced making a 1.”
Celebrate the child’s effort with a high five, a sticker, or a cheerful: “You are a number 1 star!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
- For extra support: Use large objects, move slowly, and guide the child’s hand while tracing. Focus on saying “one” rather than writing the numeral.
- For a sensory option: Trace the number 1 in sand, rice, shaving cream, or flour using one finger.
- For an active learner: Have the child take one jump, one clap, or one step whenever they see the number 1.
- For an advanced learner: Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, sort groups that show one versus more than one, or create a picture containing one of several objects.
- For a digital option: Display a large numeral 1 on a screen and invite the child to point, trace, or find one item nearby.
Optional Follow-Up Activity
Create a “Number 1” page together. Write a large 1 at the top. The child can add one sticker, draw one picture, or glue on one safe piece of paper. Display the page and review it later by asking, “What number is this, and how many objects are here?”