Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One large paper or card with the number 1
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or crayons
- Paper and a crayon or washable marker
- Play dough
- One small container or basket
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Say the number word “one.”
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Say “one.”
- Give one object.
- Make a number 1 with my finger, crayon, or play dough.
Introduction: Meet Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child the large number 1.
Say:
“Today we are going to play with the number 1. One means just one. Can you hold up one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count slowly together:
“One!”
Talk about things that come as one:
- “You have one nose.”
- “A sun is one sun.”
- “This basket is one basket.”
Quick check: Ask, “Can you show me one finger?”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: I Show One
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects in front of the child. Pick up only one object.
Say:
“I have one block. Let’s count it: one. I do not have two blocks. I have one block.”
Place the block in the container. Repeat with a toy animal or another object.
Model the number shape in the air:
“To make a 1, start at the top and go straight down.”
Use your finger to draw a large 1 in the air while saying, “Down, down, down—1!”
We Do: Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Place groups of objects on the floor or table. Make some groups with one object and some with two or more objects.
Invite the child to find the group with one object.
Ask:
- “Which group has one?”
- “Can you touch one toy?”
- “Can you put one object in the basket?”
Take turns. The child can ask you to find one, too.
Think-and-talk moment: Ask, “What is one thing you see in our room?” Accept answers such as one chair, one table, or one door.
Movement Game: One-Step Robot
Time: 5 minutes
Tell the child:
“We are number 1 robots. When I say ‘one,’ take one step!”
Give simple directions:
- “Take one step forward.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Jump one time.”
- “Spin one time.”
Pause often and ask, “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One.”
We Do: Make Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Let the child choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace a large 1 with a crayon.
- Draw a 1 in the air.
- Make a 1 with play dough.
- Make a 1 using one long block or craft stick.
Guide the child with short directions:
“Start at the top. Move straight down. You made a 1!”
Celebrate effort rather than perfect writing.
You Do: Number 1 Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to look around the home and find things connected to the number 1.
Give the child a choice:
- Find one soft thing.
- Find one red thing.
- Find one toy.
- Find one book.
After each find, ask the child to place the object in the basket and say:
“I found one!”
For a creative option, the child may draw one favorite object and write or trace the number 1 beside it.
Formative Assessment: Show Me One
Ask the child to complete these quick challenges:
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Give me one block.”
- “Count this object.”
- “Make a 1 in the air.”
Give specific feedback:
- “You chose one block.”
- “You counted one object carefully.”
- “You started at the top when you made your 1.”
Summative Assessment: My Number 1 Show
Invite the child to complete a short demonstration:
- Find and point to the number 1.
- Place one object in the basket.
- Say, “One.”
- Make a number 1 using a chosen material.
The child meets the lesson goal when they can complete most of the tasks with little help.
Differentiation and Support
For Extra Support
- Use only two choices at a time: one object and a group of two objects.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting one object.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Keep activities short and celebrate each attempt.
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or toy.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
- Invite the child to draw one object and label it with 1.
- Ask the child to show one object in different ways, such as one clap, one jump, and one step.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Hold up the number 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many means one?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Say together:
“One means just one. The number 1 shows one object. I can find, count, and make 1!”
Finish with one clap, one high-five, or one cheerful dance move.
Optional Follow-Up Activities
- Read a counting book and look for pages showing one object.
- Place one toy beside the number 1 during playtime.
- Sing a song about one little star, one little duck, or one little frog.
- At snack time, count one cracker, one berry, or one piece of fruit.