All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Ten small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Paper and crayons
- Optional: a number 1 song or short counting video
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say that 1 means “one.”
- Count one object correctly.
- Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
- Find examples of one thing in everyday life.
Success Looks Like
- “I can show one object.”
- “I can point to the number 1.”
- “I can say one.”
- “I can try to write or trace 1.”
Introduction: The One-Object Surprise
Adult says: “Today we are number detectives! We are looking for the number 1. Can you find one toy that you like?”
Invite the child to choose one favorite toy. Hold it up and say:
“I have one toy. One means just one.”
Show the numeral 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
Say: “This is the number 1. It tells us there is one thing.”
Body
I Do: Learn About One
- Place one block on the table.
- Point to it and count slowly: “One.”
- Show the numeral 1.
- Connect the number and the object by saying: “The number 1 tells us there is one block.”
Make a big number 1 in the air with your finger. Say:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Invite the child to copy you in the air, on the table with a finger, or on the floor with a toy car.
Quick Check
Ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many blocks do we have?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
We Do: Count and Sort
Place several objects in front of the child. Choose objects that are easy to move.
Instructions:
- Ask the child to pick up one object.
- Place it on a special “one” spot, such as a piece of paper.
- Say together, “One!”
- Put the other objects aside.
- Repeat with different objects.
For example, the child might choose one block, one toy animal, and one crayon.
Think and Talk: “We have one block. Do we have one toy animal? Yes! Do we have one crayon? Yes!”
Movement Game: Show Me One
Call out an action. The child performs it one time:
- “Clap one time.”
- “Jump one time.”
- “Spin one time.”
- “Touch one toe.”
- “Give one high-five.”
After each action, ask, “How many times did you do it?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
We Do: Number 1 Art
Draw a large numeral 1 on paper.
Instructions:
- Trace the number 1 together.
- Decorate it with one sticker, one dot, or one small drawing.
- Ask the child to draw one object next to the number.
The child might draw one sun, one flower, one balloon, or one pet.
Say: “You made the number 1 and one picture to match it.”
You Do: Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Invite the child to look around the home for examples of one thing.
Instructions:
- Find one spoon.
- Find one book.
- Find one pillow.
- Find one shoe.
- Choose one special item to show the adult.
Each time, have the child touch the object and say, “One ____.”
Offer choices when helpful: “Would you like to find one book or one spoon?”
Independent Practice
Give the child a paper with several numerals, including 1, 2, and 3, or write the numerals in large print.
Ask the child to:
- Circle every 1.
- Draw one dot beside each 1.
- Trace one large numeral 1.
Allow the child to use a crayon, finger, marker, or small objects to complete the activity.
Formative Assessment
Check understanding throughout the lesson by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give the adult one object.
- Count one object.
- Tell whether a group has one object or more than one.
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Place three small groups of objects on the table: one object, two objects, and three objects.
Ask the child to:
- Find the group with one object.
- Place the numeral 1 beside it.
- Say, “There is one.”
- Make a numeral 1 in the air or on paper.
Success benchmark: The child correctly identifies one object and the numeral 1, with or without a small reminder.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Review the lesson with the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “How many things does 1 mean?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing nearby?”
Adult recap: “Today we learned that the numeral 1 means one. We counted one object, found one thing, and practiced making the number 1.”
End with a cheerful chant:
“One, one, number 1! Learning numbers is fun!”
Differentiation and Extensions
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the numeral 1.
- Use a consistent phrase: “One means just one.”
- Let the child answer by pointing, showing a finger, or choosing between two options.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the numeral 1 in a book, calendar, or sign.
- Ask the child to bring one object from several rooms.
- Invite the child to make a collage with one large numeral 1 and one picture.
- Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
Real-Life Connection
During the day, point out natural examples of one: one nose, one sun, one cup, one parent, or one favorite toy. Ask, “How many?” and encourage the child to answer, “One.”