Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayons or washable markers
- One small toy or household object
- Paper plates or sheets of paper
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: blocks, stickers, or a number song
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say the number one.
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the numeral 1.
- Connect the number 1 to everyday examples.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- “I can find the number 1.”
- “I can show one thing.”
- “I can count one thing.”
- “I can make the number 1.”
Introduction: One Special Thing
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy or object.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going to have fun with the number 1!”
Ask:
- “How many toys am I holding?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “What is one thing you see in the room?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger and say, “One!”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Meet the Number 1
Draw a large numeral 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
Say:
“This is the number 1. It is called one. One looks like a straight line. Watch me make it.”
Slowly trace the numeral while saying:
“Start at the top. Go down. That makes 1.”
Show one object next to the numeral 1.
Say: “The number 1 tells us there is one object.”
Quick Check
Show the child the numeral 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you give me one block?”
We Do: Find One
Place a few groups of objects nearby. For example, place one block in one group, two blocks in another group, and three blocks in a third group.
Say: “Let’s find the group with one block.”
- Look at each group together.
- Touch and count the objects.
- Choose the group with only one object.
- Say, “This group has one!”
Repeat with different objects, such as one spoon, one sock, or one stuffed animal.
Movement Game: One-Step Challenge
Give the child simple directions that use the number one:
- “Take one big step.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Jump one time.”
- “Touch one chair.”
- “Give one high-five.”
After each action, ask: “How many did you do?” Encourage the answer, “One!”
We Do: Make the Number 1
Use play dough to make a long snake. Work together to shape it into the numeral 1.
Say: “Let’s make a number 1. We need one long line.”
Offer another choice:
- Trace the numeral 1 with a finger.
- Draw the numeral 1 with a crayon.
- Build the numeral 1 with blocks.
- Make the numeral 1 with a finger in the air.
You Do: Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Invite the child to look around the home and find things connected to one.
Say: “Find one thing. Bring it to our learning spot or point to it.”
Possible examples include:
- One shoe
- One pillow
- One book
- One spoon
- One toy
For each item, ask:
- “What did you find?”
- “How many did you bring?”
- “Can you say, ‘I found one ___’?”
Creative Activity: One-Thing Picture
Ask the child to draw one favorite thing on paper. It could be one sun, one flower, one pet, or one toy.
Help the child write or trace the numeral 1 on the page.
Encourage the child to say:
“I drew one ____.”
Formative Assessment
Check understanding during the activities by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give one object.
- Count one object.
- Make the numeral 1 using a crayon, finger, block, or play dough.
Give specific encouragement:
- “You gave me exactly one block.”
- “You counted one object carefully.”
- “You started at the top and made a number 1.”
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Place several objects in front of the child and ask the child to complete these tasks:
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Give me one object.”
- “Count this one object.”
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Make a number 1.”
The child meets the lesson goal when they complete most tasks with little or no help.
Differentiation and Choice
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Model each action before asking the child to try.
- Guide the child’s hand as they trace the numeral.
- Use repeated phrases: “One means just one.”
- Let the child answer by pointing, showing a finger, or speaking.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the numeral 1 among other numerals.
- Ask the child to make a group with one object and a group with more than one object.
- Invite the child to find one item in each room.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?” and count the new group together.
Conclusion and Recap
Place the numeral 1 and one object side by side.
Say:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We found one thing, counted one thing, and made the number 1.”
Ask the child to finish these sentences:
- “The number is ____.”
- “One means ____.”
- “I can show ____ finger.”
End with a cheerful chant:
“One, one, number one! Learning numbers is lots of fun!”
Optional Follow-Up
Throughout the day, point out examples of one: one sun, one nose, one cup, or one favorite snack. Ask, “How many?” and encourage the child to answer, “One!”