One Is Fun! Learning About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Number card showing 1
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Small objects for counting, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Paper
- Crayon or washable marker
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: music for a counting song
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object correctly.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
- Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Say, “One!” when I count.
- Make a number 1 with a crayon or play dough.
Introduction: One Special Thing
Time: 5 minutes
Place one favorite toy in front of the child.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Let’s learn all about the number 1!”
Ask:
- “How many toys do you see?”
- “Can you touch the one toy?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Show the number card and say: “This is the number 1. We say, ‘one.’” Have the child repeat “one” while holding up one finger.
Body: I Do
1. See and Count One
Time: 5 minutes
Place one block on the table. Touch it slowly and say:
“I see one block. I touch it one time: one.”
Repeat with one other object, such as one toy animal or one button. Emphasize that one means only one object.
Quick Check: Hold up groups of one and two objects. Ask, “Which group has one?” Let the child point to the answer.
2. Make the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Draw a large number 1 while saying:
“Start at the top. Go down. Number 1 looks like a straight line.”
Invite the child to:
- Trace the number 1 with a finger.
- Trace it with a crayon.
- Make it in the air using a large arm movement.
Body: We Do
3. Find One
Time: 5–7 minutes
Say: “Let’s go on a one hunt! We will find things that come in groups of one.”
Look around the room together for examples such as:
- One door
- One lamp
- One chair
- One favorite toy
Each time the child finds something, count it together: “One door. We found one door!”
Choice: The child may search indoors, outdoors, or use a picture book to find one item.
4. One-Object Game
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects nearby. Give clear directions:
- “Give me one block.”
- “Put one animal in the box.”
- “Choose one crayon.”
- “Give your stuffed animal one hug.”
After each turn, count the object together: “You gave me one block. One!”
Think and Talk: Ask, “What is one thing you like?” Accept answers such as “one cookie,” “one dog,” or “one hug.”
Body: You Do
5. Create a Number 1
Time: 7–10 minutes
Let the child choose one activity:
- Crayon Activity: Draw or trace several large number 1s.
- Play Dough Activity: Roll play dough into a long line and shape it like the number 1.
- Sticker Activity: Draw a large number 1 and place one sticker next to it.
- Block Activity: Build a tower with one block, then say “one block.”
Encourage the child to explain the work: “I made one number 1,” or “I used one block.”
6. Move Like the Number 1
Time: 3–5 minutes
Say: “Let’s move one time!” Give the child fun directions:
- Jump one time.
- Clap one time.
- Turn around one time.
- Touch one toe.
Count each action together: “One jump!”
Formative Assessment: Show Me One
Ask the child to complete the following tasks:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Count one object by saying “one.”
- Trace or make a number 1.
Give specific feedback, such as: “You gave me exactly one block. You counted carefully!” If the child makes a mistake, calmly model the answer and try again.
Summative Assessment: One Treasure Basket
Time: 5 minutes
Give the child a small basket or bowl and ask them to collect exactly one item from around the room.
When the child returns, ask:
- “How many items are in your basket?”
- “What number matches your item?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Ready for the next step: The child can identify the number 1, show one object, count one object, and attempt to make the numeral 1.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Review the lesson by saying:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We found one thing, counted one thing, and made the number 1.”
Invite the child to finish these sentences:
- “One means…”
- “I can show one by…”
- “The number 1 looks like…”
End with a short chant:
“One, one, one—learning numbers is fun!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use large, easy-to-hold objects.
- Give only one object at a time before introducing groups of objects.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1, if needed.
- Repeat the same counting language: “One object. One.”
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find three different examples of one.
- Invite the child to draw one sun, one flower, or one person.
- Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or toy.
Optional Real-World Connection
During the day, notice natural examples of one: one nose, one moon, one front door, or one cup. Say the number aloud each time: “You have one nose. I see one moon.”