Fun With the Number 1

Materials Needed

• One large piece of paper
• Crayons or washable markers
• Small toys, blocks, or buttons
• Number cards or a paper with the number 1
• One favorite stuffed animal or toy
• Optional: play dough, stickers, and music

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say the number “one.”
• Count one object.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or create the shape of the number 1.

Success Criteria

I can:

• Point to the number 1.
• Say, “One!”
• Give you one toy.
• Make a number 1 with my finger, crayon, or play dough.

Introduction: Meet Number 1

Hook: Hold up one stuffed animal or toy.

Say: “Look! I have one toy. Can you say one?”

Invite the child to touch the toy while saying, “One toy.”

Show the numeral 1.

Say: “This is the number 1. Number 1 means one thing.”

Tell the Child What We Will Learn

“Today we will play with number 1. We will find it, count one thing, and make it.”

Body: Learn and Practice

Part 1: I Do — Teacher or Adult Demonstration

Place one block on the table.

Say slowly: “I see one block. I touch it one time: one.”

Hold up one finger and say: “One finger shows one.”

Trace the number 1 in the air.

Say: “Start at the top. Go down. This is number 1.”

Quick Check: Ask:

• “How many blocks do you see?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Which number is 1?”

Part 2: We Do — Find One

Place several groups of objects nearby: one block, two crayons, and three buttons.

Say: “Let’s find the group with one thing.”

Help the child touch and count each group. When the child finds one object, say:

“Yes! This group has one. One block!”

Repeat with different objects. Let the child choose the objects when possible.

Think-Pair-Share Adaptation

• Think: “Look carefully. Which group has one?”
• Pair: The child tells a stuffed animal or adult the answer.
• Share: The child points to the group and says, “One.”

Part 3: We Do — Number 1 Movement Game

Play music or clap a steady beat.

Give simple directions:

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

After each action, ask: “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One.”

Part 4: You Do — One-Object Hunt

Say: “Your job is to find one safe object.”

1. The child chooses one room or area to explore.
2. The child finds one object.
3. The child brings or points to it.
4. The child says, “I found one ____.”

Examples may include one book, one sock, or one spoon.

Safety reminder: Use only safe objects and stay with the child during the hunt.

Part 5: Make the Number 1

Offer the child a choice:

• Trace number 1 with a crayon.
• Make number 1 with play dough.
• Build number 1 with one long block or craft stick.
• Decorate a large number 1 with stickers.
• Trace number 1 in the air or on the floor with a finger.

As the child works, repeat:

“You are making number 1. Number 1 means one.”

Formative Assessment: Show Me One

Give the child a small collection of objects. Ask the child to:

1. Give you one object.
2. Point to the number 1.
3. Show one finger.
4. Put one object beside the number 1.

Give specific feedback:

• “You gave me one block. You counted carefully.”
• “You found number 1.”
• “You showed one finger. Great counting!”

Real-World Connection

Look around the home and name things that come in ones:

• One nose
• One mouth
• One sun
• One door handle
• One favorite toy

Ask: “Can you find one thing in our home?”

Summative Assessment: Number 1 Challenge

Invite the child to complete this short challenge independently or with a little help:

1. Point to the numeral 1.
2. Say the word “one.”
3. Show one finger.
4. Choose one object from a group.
5. Make or trace the number 1.

Meeting the goal: The child completes at least four of the five tasks with confidence or gentle prompting.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Show the number 1 again.

Say: “Today we learned about number 1. Number 1 means one. We showed one finger, found one object, and made number 1.”

Child Recap

Invite the child to finish these sentences:

• “This is number ___.”
• “Number 1 means ___.”
• “I can show ___ finger.”

Finish with a celebration: “You did it! You are a number 1 counting star!”

Differentiation and Extension

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while counting and tracing.
• Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
• Use large objects and a large numeral for easier viewing.

For a New Challenge

• Ask the child to find one object in several different rooms.
• Invite the child to draw one sun, one flower, or one balloon.
• Compare groups: “Which has one? Which has more than one?”
• Practice writing the word one with adult support.

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Read a counting book that features the number 1.
• Make a snack with one cracker, one slice of fruit, or one cheese cube.
• Place one sticker on each page of a small booklet.
• Sing a simple song while holding up one finger whenever you hear “one.”