Fun With the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon, marker, or pencil
• Small objects such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
• One favorite toy or stuffed animal
• Paper and stickers
• Optional: music for a movement game

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.
• Practice forming the numeral 1.
• Use the word “one” in a sentence.

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Point to or name the number 1.
• Give one object, not two or more, when asked.
• Trace or draw a recognizable number 1.
• Explain that “one” means just one thing.

Introduction: Meet Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

Show the child one favorite toy.

Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one.”

Ask:

• “How many toys do I have?”
• “Can you hold up one finger?”
• “What is one thing you like?”

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

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes

1. Write a large numeral 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
2. Point to it and say, “This is the number 1. We say one.”
3. Place one block beside the numeral.
4. Touch the block and count slowly: “One.”
5. Show two blocks and say, “This is not one. This is two.” Remove one block and say, “Now there is one.”

Simple talking point: “One means only one. Not two. Not three. Just one.”

We Do: Find One

Time: 8 minutes

Place several groups of objects in front of the child. Include groups with one, two, and three objects.

Invite the child to look at each group and find the group with one object.

Use prompts such as:

• “Let’s touch each object and count.”
• “Which group has one?”
• “Can you give me one block?”
• “Can you put one toy in the box?”

Think and share: Ask, “What is one thing you see in this room?” Let the child point to or name one object.

Movement Game: One-Step Actions

Time: 5 minutes

Give one-step directions. Celebrate each response.

• “Take one jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Spin one time.”
• “Touch one toy.”
• “Give one high-five.”

After each action, ask, “How many did you do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”

We Do: Make the Number 1

Time: 7 minutes

1. Draw a large number 1.
2. Trace it slowly with your finger while saying, “Start at the top. Go straight down.”
3. Invite the child to trace the number with a finger.
4. Let the child trace it with a crayon or marker.
5. Add one sticker next to the number 1.

Say: “We made the number 1. We also used one sticker.”

You Do: Number 1 Hunt

Time: 8 minutes

Invite the child to look around the home for the number 1. The child may find it in a book, on a clock, on a toy, on a keyboard, or on a package.

Each time the child finds a 1, ask:

• “What number did you find?”
• “Can you trace it in the air?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”

Choice: The child may choose to hunt for the number 1, make a number 1 with blocks, or draw a number 1 in sand, flour, or finger paint.

You Do: Create a Number 1 Picture

Time: 7 minutes

Ask the child to draw or decorate the number 1. Then invite them to add exactly one item to the picture, such as:

• One sun
• One flower
• One balloon
• One animal
• One sticker

Ask the child to explain the picture using a sentence:

“I made one ______.”

Formative Assessment: Quick Checks

Check understanding during the lesson by asking the child to:

• Point to the number 1 among several numerals.
• Show one finger.
• Give one object.
• Count one object aloud.
• Trace the number 1.

If the child gives more than one object, gently say, “Let’s try again. We need just one,” and model taking one object.

Summative Assessment: Show What You Know

Give the child three small tasks:

1. “Circle the number 1.”
2. “Put one block on the paper.”
3. “Draw the number 1.”

The child demonstrates understanding by completing at least two tasks independently and showing that one means one object.

Differentiation and Support

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
• Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
• Repeat the words “one” and “just one” often.
• Allow the child to answer by pointing, showing a finger, or speaking.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find three examples of the number 1.
• Invite the child to make groups containing one object.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
• Compare one object with two and three objects.
• Invite the child to write the word one with help.

Conclusion and Recap

Time: 3 minutes

Show the numeral 1 and one object. Ask the child:

• “What number is this?”
• “How many objects are here?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “What is one thing you did today?”

Say together:

“One means just one. The number 1 shows one.”

Finish with one clap, one high-five, or one happy jump.

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Look for the number 1 during a walk or while reading a story.
• Put one toy in each of several boxes.
• Make a snack plate with one cracker, one fruit piece, or one spoon.
• Read a counting book and pause whenever you see one object.