Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Paper and crayons
- One small toy or stuffed animal
- Number cards or a paper with the number 1
- Small items to count, such as blocks, buttons, or cereal pieces
- Play dough
- Optional: a favorite song or music player
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 correctly.
- Trace or make the numeral 1.
- Find examples of “one” in everyday life.
Success Looks Like
- “I can show one finger.”
- “I can give you one toy.”
- “I can find the number 1.”
- “I can try to make a 1.”
Introduction: “One Special Toy”
Time: 5 minutes
Place one toy in front of the child. Say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count slowly together:
“One!”
Tell the child:
“Today we are going to learn about the number 1. We will look for one thing, count one thing, and make the number 1.”
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: Show the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child a large numeral 1. Point to it and say:
“This is the number 1. We say one.”
Trace the number in the air with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top, go down. That makes a 1.”
Show one object and model counting:
“I have one block. I touch it one time: one.”
Quick check: Ask, “Which card shows the number 1?” If there are no cards, draw a 1 and a simple different shape for the child to choose from.
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Give the child a small group of objects. Ask the child to take exactly one item.
Use simple directions:
- “Give me one block.”
- “Put one button in the cup.”
- “Can you find one red crayon?”
- “Can you place one toy beside the stuffed animal?”
Count together each time by touching the object once:
“One. We have one.”
Think-and-talk: Ask, “What is one thing you see in this room?” Accept answers such as one table, one door, or one pet.
3. We Do: Number 1 Movement Game
Time: 5 minutes
Play music or clap a steady beat. Give the child movement directions involving one:
- Take one big step.
- Jump one time.
- Clap one time.
- Spin one time.
- Touch one toy.
After each action, ask, “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One!”
4. I Do: Model Making the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
On paper, slowly draw a large 1. Say:
“I start at the top. I make a straight line down. This is 1.”
Make the number with play dough. Roll one long piece and place it on top of a drawn 1.
Explain:
“My play dough line follows the number 1.”
5. You Do: Make and Trace 1
Time: 10 minutes
Invite the child to choose one way to practice:
- Trace a large number 1 with a crayon.
- Draw a number 1 in the air.
- Make a number 1 with play dough.
- Build a number 1 using one block or a craft stick.
Give encouraging feedback:
“You started at the top.”
“You made one straight line.”
“You tried carefully. That is great learning!”
6. Creative Activity: One Special Picture
Time: 10 minutes
Ask the child to draw a picture with exactly one main object. Offer choices:
- One sun
- One flower
- One balloon
- One pet
- One favorite toy
Help the child add a large 1 to the picture. Ask:
“What is one thing in your picture?”
Formative Assessment: Show Me One
Ask the child to complete these tasks:
- Show one finger.
- Choose the numeral 1.
- Give you one object.
- Count one object by touching it once.
- Try to draw or build the number 1.
Offer help as needed. The child does not need to make a perfect numeral; recognizing one object and understanding “one” are the main goals.
Summative Assessment: Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Time: 5 minutes
Invite the child to find three examples of one around the home. For example:
- One spoon
- One pillow
- One book
For each item, ask:
“How many did you find?”
The child demonstrates success by finding one object, counting it correctly, and saying “one.”
Differentiation and Support
- For extra support: Use only two choices, such as one block and a group of three blocks. Count slowly while touching each object.
- For sensory learning: Trace the number 1 in sand, rice, shaving cream, or flour.
- For movement learning: Practice one jump, one clap, or one step.
- For advanced learners: Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, on a clock, or on a calendar.
- For language development: Practice the sentence, “I see one ____.”
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Hold up the numeral 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you give me one high-five?”
Recap together:
“Today we learned that 1 means one. We found one object, counted one object, and practiced making the number 1.”
End with one high-five and say:
“You did one great job learning about 1!”
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, look for the number 1 on signs, books, clocks, calendars, or food packages. Each time the child finds it, say, “That is 1. One!”