All About the Number 1!
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
- Several small objects, such as buttons, pom-poms, or blocks
- Play dough
- Paper with large number 1s written on it
- Optional: number song or music
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
- Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one thing.
- Say, “One!”
- Make a number 1 with my 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 talk about the toy:
- “What is one thing you see?”
- “Can you touch the one toy?”
- “Do you have one nose? Let’s touch it!”
Tell the child:
“Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find one thing, count one thing, and make a number 1.”
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
Say:
“This is the number 1. It means one. The number 1 looks like a straight line.”
Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1!”
Show one object beside the numeral 1.
Say:
“The number 1 tells us there is one object. One block goes with the number 1.”
Quick Check
Ask:
- “Can you point to the number 1?”
- “How many blocks are here?”
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Place a small group of objects in front of the child. For example, place three blocks on the table.
Say:
“Let’s find one block. Touch just one block.”
Help the child move one block away from the group. Count slowly:
“One. We have one block.”
Repeat with different objects:
- “Can you give me one pom-pom?”
- “Can you find one crayon?”
- “Can you hold one toy?”
Use a playful movement activity. Give instructions such as:
- “Do one clap.”
- “Take one jump.”
- “Give one wave.”
- “Touch one toe.”
Think and Talk
Ask the child:
“What is one thing you like?”
Accept answers such as “one ball,” “one dog,” or “one cookie.”
3. We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 8 minutes
Finger Writing
Have the child trace a large number 1 with a finger.
Say together:
“Start at the top and go straight down. Number 1!”
Play Dough Number
Roll play dough into a long snake. Help the child bend or place it to make a number 1.
Say:
“Our play dough makes one. It is tall and straight.”
Air Writing
Invite the child to make a large number 1 in the air using one finger.
Ask:
“Can you make a big 1 in the air?”
4. You Do: Number 1 Hunt
Time: 8–10 minutes
Give the child a paper with several numbers. Include a few large number 1s mixed with other numerals or simple shapes.
Say:
“Look carefully. Can you circle all the number 1s?”
Afterward, begin a number hunt around the home. Look for the number 1 on:
- Clocks
- Books
- Labels
- Calendars
- House numbers
Each time the child finds a 1, say:
“You found the number 1!”
5. Creative Choice Activity
Time: 5–10 minutes
Let the child choose one activity:
- Number 1 Art: Decorate a large number 1 with one sticker, one leaf, or one favorite color.
- One-Object Drawing: Draw one sun, one flower, or one animal.
- Number 1 Movement: Make up a “number 1 dance” with one clap and one jump.
- One Treasure Basket: Choose one object from a basket and tell what it is.
Formative Assessment
Check understanding throughout the lesson by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Give you one object from a group.
- Count one clap, jump, or tap.
- Trace the number 1.
- Say a sentence such as, “I have one ball.”
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Place several objects and numerals in front of the child. Ask the child to complete these tasks:
- “Show me the number 1.”
- “Give me one object.”
- “Count this object.”
- “Make a number 1 with your finger or play dough.”
- “Tell me one thing you learned.”
Success benchmark: The child correctly identifies the numeral 1 and shows one object with little or no help.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3–5 minutes
Hold up the numeral 1 and review:
“Today we learned about number 1. Number 1 means one. We found one object, made one, and counted one.”
Invite the child to finish these sentences:
- “Number 1 means…”
- “I can find one…”
- “One thing I liked was…”
End with one final action:
“Let’s do one big clap for learning number 1!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object and the numeral 1 at first.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Offer choices: “Do you want one block or one toy?”
For a Child Ready for More
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or calendar.
- Compare one with more than one.
- Ask the child to draw one object and write the number 1 beside it.
- Invite the child to make a short “one” book with one picture on each page.
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, point out natural examples of one:
- One sun in the sky
- One pillow on a chair
- One spoon at snack time
- One favorite toy
Use the phrase, “I see one!” to connect the lesson to everyday life.