Number 1: One Wonderful Thing
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Number cards or a homemade card showing “1”
- Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Paper and crayons
- Optional: a short counting song or music
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say that “1” means one object.
- Count one object correctly.
- Trace or draw the numeral 1 with support.
- Find examples of one item in everyday life.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object when asked.
- Count one object: “1.”
- Try to make the shape of 1.
Introduction: One Big Surprise
Time: 5 minutes
Hide one favorite toy behind your back. Say:
“I have a surprise. How many toys do I have?”
Show the toy and say:
“I have one toy. One means just one.”
Invite the child to repeat:
“One toy!”
Show the number card with 1 and say:
“This is the number 1. It tells us there is one.”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Say, “This is 1. It looks like a straight line.”
- Place one block beside the numeral.
- Touch the block and count slowly: “1.”
- Show that one means only one object.
Use simple examples:
- “One nose.”
- “One mouth.”
- “One sun.”
- “One favorite toy.”
Quick Check: Ask, “Which card shows 1?” If there are several cards, let the child point to the correct one.
We Do: One or More?
Time: 8 minutes
Place groups of objects in front of the child. Make some groups have one object and some have two or three.
For each group, ask:
“How many do you see?”
Help the child touch each object while counting. When there is one object, say:
“Yes! There is one. Can you show me the number 1?”
Try these activities:
- Put one block in a cup.
- Find one red object in the room.
- Give one crayon to the adult.
- Place one toy animal on the table.
Think-and-Tell: Ask, “Can you find one thing near you?” Allow the child to choose an object.
Movement Game: Number 1 Actions
Time: 5 minutes
Invite the child to do one action at a time:
- One jump
- One clap
- One spin
- One stomp
- One big stretch
Give directions clearly:
“Do one jump. Ready? Jump one time!”
Count together after each action: “1!”
We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
First, make a large number 1 with your finger in the air. Say:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Invite the child to:
- Trace the number 1 in the air.
- Trace the number 1 on the table with a finger.
- Make the number 1 with play dough.
- Trace or copy the number 1 on paper.
Celebrate effort with specific feedback:
“You started at the top and made a straight line. You are making 1!”
You Do: One-Item Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to look around the home and find three things that come in a group of one.
Possible examples include:
- One door
- One pillow chosen by the child
- One spoon
- One book
- One stuffed animal
Each time the child finds an item, ask:
“How many did you find?”
Support the child in answering:
“I found one ____.”
Creative Choice Activity
Time: 8 minutes
Let the child choose one activity:
- Number 1 Picture: Draw one sun, one flower, or one balloon. Add the numeral 1.
- One Sticker: Put exactly one sticker on a piece of paper. Write or trace 1 beside it.
- One Treasure Box: Choose one small object to place in a box. Say, “I chose one ____.”
- Number 1 Collage: Decorate a large numeral 1 with crayons, paper pieces, or safe craft materials.
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, observe whether the child can:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Count one object without adding another number.
- Select one object from a group.
- Use the word “one.”
- Attempt to trace or form 1.
If the child is unsure, calmly model the answer and try again with a smaller number of objects.
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects and the number card nearby. Ask the child to complete these tasks:
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Give me one object.”
- “How many objects did you give me?”
- “Can you make 1 in the air?”
- “Can you draw or trace 1?”
Ready-to-move-on benchmark: The child correctly identifies 1, gives one object, and counts it as one with little or no help.
Differentiation and Support
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Physically guide the child’s finger while counting and tracing, if welcomed.
- Repeat the same short phrase: “1 means one.”
- Use large objects and a large numeral.
- Allow pointing, moving, or speaking as ways to answer.
For a Child Ready for More
- Compare one object with two objects.
- Ask the child to write 1 without tracing.
- Invite the child to make a set of one object and explain it.
- Look for the numeral 1 in books, signs, or a calendar.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 4 minutes
Hold up the number card and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “What does 1 mean?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Say together:
“Today we learned about 1. One means just one. We can find one, count one, and make the number 1.”
End with a cheerful chant:
“One, one, number 1! Learning numbers is fun!”
Optional Everyday Practice
Look for the number 1 during the day. Ask the child to find one item at snack time, choose one book, or give one hug. Each time, say, “That is one!”