Fun with the Number 1

Materials Needed

• One large piece of paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon, marker, or pencil
• Small objects such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or socks
• Number cards or paper cards labeled 1–3
• Play dough or modeling clay
• One small basket or bowl
• Optional: a favorite song or music for movement

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say the number name “one.”
• Count one object correctly.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
• Use the idea of “one” in a real-life situation.

Success Criteria

“I can show one thing, say ‘one,’ find the number 1, and make a 1.”

Introduction: Hook and Objectives

Time: 5 minutes

Hold up one favorite toy or object.

Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one thing. Can you hold up one finger?”

Invite the child to show one finger. Then say:

“Today we are going to play with the number 1. We will find it, count one thing, and make it with our fingers, play dough, and crayons.”

Body of the Lesson

1. I Do: Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

1. Write a large numeral 1 on the paper or whiteboard.
2. Point to it and say, “This is the number 1. We say ‘one.’”
3. Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying, “Down we go. This makes a 1.”
4. Hold up one finger and say, “One finger.”
5. Place one object in the basket and say, “One block.”

Quick Check: Ask, “What number is this?” and “How many blocks are in the basket?”

2. We Do: Find and Show One

Time: 8 minutes

Explore together using the following games.

Number Hunt

1. Place the number cards 1, 2, and 3 in front of the child.
2. Say, “Can you find the number 1?”
3. Celebrate the child’s answer: “You found 1!”
4. Mix the cards and try again.

Give Me One

1. Place several objects nearby.
2. Ask, “Please give me one block.”
3. Count the object together: “One.”
4. Try with different objects, such as one button, one toy animal, or one sock.

One-Finger Movement Game

Give simple directions:

• “Jump one time.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Stomp one time.”

Think and Talk: Ask, “What is something you have one of?” Possible answers include one nose, one mouth, or one favorite teddy bear.

3. We Do: Make the Number 1

Time: 7 minutes

Play Dough 1

1. Roll play dough into a long, thin shape.
2. Place it on the table to make the shape of a 1.
3. Say together, “Down we go. This is 1.”

Air-Writing 1

1. Use one finger to draw a large 1 in the air.
2. Draw it in the air slowly several times.
3. Try drawing a 1 on the child’s back with a finger, if the child enjoys this.

Formative Assessment: Watch whether the child recognizes the numeral, counts one object, and follows the shape of a 1.

4. You Do: One-Object Challenge

Time: 8 minutes

Invite the child to complete the challenge independently. Give help only when needed.

1. Find the number 1 from a group of number cards.
2. Put one object in the basket.
3. Show one finger.
4. Draw or trace the number 1.
5. Choose one favorite object and tell an adult, “I chose one ___.”

Offer encouragement such as:

• “You counted carefully.”
• “You showed one object.”
• “You started your 1 at the top and went down.”

5. Real-Life Connection: One Thing at a Time

Time: 5 minutes

Look around the home together. Find examples of one item.

Possible examples:

• One door
• One table
• One pet
• One spoon
• One favorite toy

Say: “The number 1 helps us talk about one thing. We use numbers every day!”

Conclusion: Closure and Recap

Time: 5 minutes

Number 1 Chant

Say the chant together while holding up one finger:

“One little finger,
One little toe,
One big number
Down we go!”

Review Questions

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you give me one object?”
• “Can you find the number 1?”

Finish by saying: “Today you learned that 1 means one. You found 1, counted 1, and made 1!”

Assessment

Formative Assessment During the Lesson

• Observe whether the child can point to the numeral 1.
• Ask the child to show one finger.
• Ask the child to select one object from a group.
• Listen for the child saying “one.”
• Observe the child tracing or forming the numeral 1.

End-of-Lesson Demonstration

Place three objects and the number cards 1, 2, and 3 in front of the child. Ask the child to:

1. Find the number 1.
2. Place one object beside it.
3. Say, “One.”
4. Draw or make a 1.

Suggested mastery: The child completes at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.

Differentiation and Choice

Support for a Child Who Needs More Help

• Use only the number cards 1 and 2.
• Give the child one object at a time.
• Use hand-over-hand guidance for tracing, if welcomed.
• Repeat the words “one” and “1” often.
• Use large objects that are easy to see and hold.

Extension for a Child Ready for More

• Find groups of one around the home.
• Practice writing 1 on a small whiteboard.
• Compare one object with a group of two objects.
• Create a picture with one sun, one house, or one flower.
• Make a “number 1 collection” by gathering one item from several safe categories.

Learning Choices

The child may choose one activity to repeat:

• Make a 1 with play dough.
• Draw a 1 with crayons.
• Find one object in the home.
• Play the one-finger movement game.

Optional Follow-Up Activity

Create a “My Number 1” page. The child can draw one favorite thing, glue one safe paper shape onto the page, or place one sticker beside a large numeral 1. Ask the child to describe the picture using the sentence: “I have one ___.”