Fun With the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
• Number cards or a paper with the number 1
• Play dough or modeling clay
• One favorite toy or stuffed animal
• Optional: music for a movement game

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the number 1.
• Count one object.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
• Connect the number 1 to everyday things.

Success Criteria

I can:

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

Introduction: Meet the Number 1

Adult says: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one. Can you show me one finger?”

Invite the child to hold up one finger. Celebrate the response with a high-five or cheerful clap.

Hook: Place one favorite toy in front of the child.

Ask: “How many toys do we see? Let’s count: one!”

Tell the child: “Today we will find one, count one, and make the number 1.”

Body: Learning and Practice

1. I Do: See and Hear One

Show the child a large number card or write 1 on paper.

Adult says: “This is the number 1. It looks like a straight line. Say it with me: one.”

Point to the number and slowly trace it with your finger from top to bottom.

Say together: “One is for one sun. One is for one nose. One is for one moon.”

Show one object at a time and count slowly:

1. Place one block down.
2. Touch it.
3. Say, “One block.”

Quick Check: Ask, “How many blocks are here?” Help the child touch the block while saying, “One.”

2. We Do: Find One

Place several groups of objects nearby. Some groups should have one object, and some should have two or more.

Adult says: “Let’s find a group with one object. Look carefully. Which group has one?”

Let the child point, move, or pick up the group with one object. Count together.

Repeat with different objects, such as:

• One block
• One spoon
• One toy animal
• One crayon

Think-and-Talk: Ask, “Can you find one thing in the room?” Accept answers such as one chair, one lamp, or one book.

3. Movement Game: Show Me One

Give simple directions. Encourage the child to move while practicing the number 1.

• “Take one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Touch one toe.”
• “Turn around one time.”
• “Give your toy one hug.”

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

4. We Do: Make the Number 1

Choose one or more ways to make the number 1:

Finger Trace

Write a large number 1. Let the child trace it with a finger while saying, “Down to make 1.”

Play Dough

Roll one long piece of play dough. Place it on the paper to make the number 1.

Crayon Practice

Draw a dotted number 1 for the child to trace. Then invite the child to try making one independently.

Encouragement: “You started at the top and went down. You made a number 1!”

5. You Do: One-Object Hunt

Invite the child to choose one object from the home, such as one sock, one book, or one toy.

Instructions:

1. Choose one object.
2. Bring it to the learning space.
3. Show it to the adult.
4. Say, “I found one!”

Allow the child to choose the object. This gives the child ownership of the activity.

6. Creative Choice Activity

Let the child choose one activity:

• Number 1 Collage: Decorate a large number 1 with one sticker, one leaf, or one piece of paper.
• One Animal Story: Make up a story about one animal. For example: “One little dog went for a walk.”
• Snack Count: Put one safe snack item on a plate and count it together.
• Number 1 Hunt: Look for the number 1 in books, packages, calendars, or a phone keypad.

Formative Assessment: Check Along the Way

During the activities, ask:

• “Can you point to the number 1?”
• “Can you give me one block?”
• “How many toys are here?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Which group has one?”

Give specific feedback:

• “You gave me one block. You counted carefully.”
• “You found the number 1.”
• “You used one clap. Great counting!”

Summative Assessment: Show What You Know

Invite the child to complete these three tasks:

1. Point to the number 1 among two or three number cards.
2. Give the adult exactly one object.
3. Trace or make a number 1.

Goal: The child completes at least two of the three tasks with little or no help.

Differentiation and Support

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
• Repeat the words, “One means just one.”
• Use large objects and a large number card.
• Keep activities short and celebrate every attempt.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or calendar.
• Ask, “What comes after 1?”
• Invite the child to draw one object beside the number 1.
• Ask the child to sort groups into “one” and “more than one.”
• Let the child teach a stuffed animal how to count one object.

Conclusion: Review and Celebrate

Show the number 1 again.

Ask:

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

Recap together: “The number 1 means one. One is just one thing. We can find it, count it, and make it.”

Finish with one clap and say, “Hooray for number 1!”

Optional Follow-Up

Throughout the day, look for examples of one: one cup, one shoe, one pet, or one book. Each time, ask the child to point, touch, and say, “One.”