Number 1: One Special Thing!

Materials Needed

• One favorite toy or stuffed animal
• Number cards or a piece of paper with a large 1
• Crayons or washable markers
• Paper
• One small basket, cup, or bowl
• Several safe household objects, such as blocks, socks, or spoons
• Optional: play dough, music, or stickers

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Count one object using the word “one.”
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
• Connect the idea of “one” to things in everyday life.

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Point to the number 1.
• Give or select one object.
• Say, “One!” while touching one object.
• Try to draw, trace, build, or form a number 1.

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. Can you show me one finger?”

Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count slowly together:

“One finger. One toy. One!”

Tell the child:

“Today we are learning about the number 1. We will find one thing, count one thing, and make the number 1.”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

1. Show the child a large number card or paper number 1.
2. Trace the number in the air with your finger.
3. Say: “This is 1. We say ‘one.’”
4. Model counting one object by touching it once and saying, “One.”
5. Show one finger and say, “One finger.”

Use a simple motion:

“Start at the top and go straight down. That makes a 1!”

Quick Check

Ask:

• “Can you point to the number 1?”
• “How many fingers am I holding up?”
• “Can you say ‘one’?”

We Do: Find One

Time: 8 minutes

Place several objects in front of the child. For example, use three blocks, two socks, and one spoon.

Say:

“Let’s find one spoon. Can you give me one spoon?”

Help the child choose one object. Touch it and count:

“One spoon. We have one.”

Repeat with different objects:

• “Can you give me one block?”
• “Can you find one sock?”
• “Can you put one toy in the basket?”

Movement Game: One-Step Action

Give playful directions that use the number 1:

• “Take one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Turn around one time.”
• “Touch one knee.”

After each action, say together: “We did it one time!”

Think-and-Talk Moment

Ask the child to look around the room and find something they see only one of. Possible answers might include one lamp, one table, or one door.

You Do: Make the Number 1

Time: 10 minutes

Let the child choose one way to make the number 1:

• Draw: Trace or draw a large number 1 with a crayon.
• Build: Make a number 1 with one block, a craft stick, or play dough.
• Move: Use a finger to draw a 1 in the air, on a table, or in a tray of flour.
• Decorate: Add one sticker or one dot to a large paper number 1.

Give simple directions:

1. “Start at the top.”
2. “Go straight down.”
3. “You made a 1!”

Do not worry about perfect handwriting. Praise effort and understanding:

“You made a number 1. You remembered that 1 means one.”

Real-World Challenge: One Treasure Hunt

Time: 5–10 minutes

Invite the child to search for one safe item in the home. Give choices such as:

• One blue item
• One soft item
• One toy
• One book

When the child finds an item, ask:

“How many did you find? Touch it and count.”

Celebrate by saying:

“You found one! One means just one.”

Formative Assessment

Check understanding throughout the lesson by asking the child to:

• Point to the numeral 1 among two or three number cards.
• Show one finger.
• Place one object in a basket.
• Count one object by touching it once.
• Find one item in the room.

If the child chooses more than one object, gently say:

“Let’s try again. We need just one. Take one away. Now we have one.”

Summative Assessment: Show Me One

Place several objects and the number card 1 in front of the child. Ask the child to complete these tasks:

1. “Point to number 1.”
2. “Give me one object.”
3. “Show me one finger.”
4. “Make a number 1 with your finger, crayon, or play dough.”

Record success with a simple check:

• Recognizes 1: Yes / Practicing
• Counts one object: Yes / Practicing
• Shows one object: Yes / Practicing
• Makes or traces 1: Yes / Practicing

Differentiation and Support

For Extra Support

• Use only one object and the number card 1.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number.
• Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
• Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
• Give two choices: “Which shows one: this one or these two?”

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find one item in several different colors.
• Invite the child to draw one object next to the numeral 1.
• Compare groups: “Which group has one?”
• Ask the child to make a short book called “My Book of One.” Each page can show one item, such as one sun or one ball.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Time: 3 minutes

Show the number 1 again and review:

“Today we learned about 1. One means just one. We showed one finger, found one object, and made the number 1.”

Ask the child:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “What is one thing you liked doing?”

Finish with a cheerful chant:

“One, one, number one! One little lesson, lots of fun!”

Optional Follow-Up

During the day, look for opportunities to use the word “one” naturally:

• One cup
• One shoe
• One hug
• One bedtime story