One Is Fun: Learning About the Number 1

Materials Needed

• One large paper or cardboard number 1
• Small objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or crackers
• Paper
• Crayons or washable markers
• Play dough or clay
• One favorite toy or stuffed animal
• Optional: a basket, bowl, or small bag

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say the number word “one.”
• Count one object accurately.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
• Connect the idea of “one” to everyday life.

Success Looks Like

The child is successful when they can:

• Point to the number 1 when asked.
• Give or find one object.
• Say, “One!” while touching one object.
• Make a recognizable number 1 using a finger, crayon, or play dough.

Introduction: One Special Thing

Time: 5 minutes

Place one favorite toy in front of the child.

Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Can you say, ‘one’?”

Invite the child to touch the toy while saying:

“One toy.”

Ask:

• “How many toys do we see?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “What is one thing you like?”

Tell the child: “Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find one, count one, make one, and look for one in our world.”

Body of the Lesson

Part 1: I Do — Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

Show the large numeral 1.

Say: “This is the number 1. We say, ‘one.’ The number 1 tells us there is just one thing.”

Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying:

“Straight down to make a 1.”

Model counting one object:

1. Place one block on the table.
2. Touch the block.
3. Say, “One.”
4. Point to the numeral 1.

Say: “I see one block. One block matches the number 1.”

Part 2: We Do — Find One

Time: 8 minutes

Place several objects in front of the child. Ask the child to choose exactly one object.

Use prompts such as:

• “Please give me one block.”
• “Put one toy in the basket.”
• “Can you find one button?”
• “Show me one finger.”

Each time the child chooses an object, touch it and count:

“One. There is one.”

If the child picks up more than one, gently say: “Let’s check. We need just one. Put the extras back.”

Movement Game: One-Step Actions

Give simple directions that use the word “one”:

• “Take one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Spin one time.”
• “Give your toy one hug.”
• “Take one big breath.”

Pause after each direction and ask: “How many did you do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”

Quick Check

Show the child one object and then a small group of objects.

Ask: “Which group shows one?”

Invite the child to explain by pointing and saying, “This one has one.”

Part 3: We Do — Make the Number 1

Time: 8 minutes

Play Dough 1

1. Roll a piece of play dough into a long line.
2. Place it straight up and down.
3. Add a small slanted piece at the top if desired.
4. Say, “This is a play dough 1.”

Finger Trace

Draw a large number 1 on paper. Let the child trace it with a finger.

Say: “Start at the top. Go straight down.”

Air Writing

Invite the child to use one finger to write a large 1 in the air.

Say the motion together: “Start at the top and go down.”

Part 4: You Do — One-Object Hunt

Time: 10 minutes

Invite the child to look around the home and find things that come in groups of one.

Give the child a basket or bowl. Explain:

“Find one safe item from each place. Bring back just one item each time.”

Possible places include:

• The kitchen: one spoon
• The bedroom: one sock
• The play area: one block
• The bookshelf: one book
• The bathroom: one towel

For each item, ask:

• “What did you find?”
• “How many did you bring?”
• “Can you touch it and say one?”

Allow the child to choose which safe items to find. Celebrate careful counting rather than speed.

Part 5: Create a Number 1 Picture

Time: 8 minutes

Give the child paper and crayons. Help the child draw a large number 1.

Invite the child to add one picture beside it, such as:

• One sun
• One flower
• One balloon
• One tree
• One family pet

Use a simple sentence frame:

“I made one ______.”

Ask the child to point to the numeral 1 and the one object in the picture.

Real-World Connection

Talk about things people often use one at a time:

• “One mouth.”
• “One sun in the sky.”
• “One person can hold one cup.”
• “We can take one turn at a time.”

Ask: “Can you find one thing near you right now?”

Differentiation and Support

For a Child Who Needs More Support

• Use only one object and the numeral 1 at first.
• Guide the child’s hand as they touch and count the object.
• Use large, easy-to-hold objects.
• Repeat the same words: “One means just one.”
• Offer choices: “Do you want one block or one car?”
• Let the child answer by pointing, showing one finger, or using words.

For a Child Ready for More

• Ask the child to find the numeral 1 in books, labels, or calendars.
• Invite the child to compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
• Ask the child to make the number 1 using sticks, blocks, or pipe cleaners.
• Challenge the child to write the numeral 1 independently.
• Ask: “What would happen if we added one more?”

Assessment

Formative Assessment During the Lesson

• Observe whether the child touches one object while saying “one.”
• Ask the child to show one finger.
• Ask the child to choose one item from a group.
• Check whether the child can match one object to the numeral 1.
• Listen for the child using the word “one” correctly.

End-of-Lesson Demonstration

Place the numeral 1, one object, and a small group of objects on the table. Ask the child to:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Give you one object.
3. Count the object by touching it once.
4. Make a number 1 with a finger, crayon, or play dough.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Time: 5 minutes

Review the lesson using short questions:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “How many things does one mean?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one thing?”

Say together:

“One means just one. The number 1 shows one thing. I can find one, count one, and make a 1.”

Child Reflection

Ask the child to finish one sentence:

• “Today I found one ______.”
• “I made one ______.”
• “My favorite one activity was ______.”

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Look for the numeral 1 in a storybook or calendar.
• Sing a counting song and pause at one.
• Set the table with one napkin, one spoon, and one cup.
• Take a “one walk” and find one leaf, one rock, or one flower.
• Read a book and ask the child to find one character or one animal on a page.