All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a small whiteboard
- Marker or crayon
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Small objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Paper and crayons
- Optional: number 1 song or counting song
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say the number word one.
- Show one object when asked.
- Practice drawing or tracing the number 1.
- Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.
Success Criteria
“I can show one thing, say ‘one,’ find the number 1, and try to write it.”
Introduction: One Special Thing
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child one favorite toy or stuffed animal.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one thing. Today we are going to learn about the number 1.”
Ask:
- “How many toys do I have?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Sing or chant together:
“One, one, it’s number one! One little finger, pointing to the sun!”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
1. See the Number
Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
Say: “This is the number 1. We call it one.”
Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. Number 1!”
2. Count One Object
Place one block in front of the child.
Touch it and say: “One block.” Emphasize that there is only one block.
Place several blocks nearby and move just one block forward. Say: “This group has one block.”
Quick Check
Ask: “Which group has one?” Give the child a choice between one object and a group of two or three objects.
We Do: Learn Through Play
Time: 10 minutes
Activity 1: One-Object Hunt
Look around the room together. Take turns finding one object.
For each object, say:
“I found one ____.”
Possible examples include:
- One book
- One spoon
- One shoe
- One pillow
- One toy
Activity 2: Give the Bear One
Place a stuffed animal or toy in front of the child. Put several small objects in a pile.
Say: “The bear wants one block. Can you give the bear one block?”
Repeat with different objects, such as one button, one toy animal, or one crayon.
Activity 3: Number 1 Movement Game
Invite the child to move one time each round:
- Take one jump.
- Clap one time.
- Spin one time.
- Stomp one time.
- Give one high-five.
After each movement, ask: “How many did you do?”
You Do: Practice Independently
Time: 10 minutes
Activity 1: Trace and Draw
Write several large dotted number 1s on paper. Invite the child to trace them.
Then ask the child to try drawing a number 1 independently.
Say: “Start at the top and make one straight line down.”
Activity 2: Draw One
Ask the child to choose one thing to draw, such as one sun, one flower, one ball, or one animal.
When finished, ask: “What is your one thing?”
Activity 3: Show Me One
Place groups of one, two, and three objects on the table. Ask the child to point to the group with one object.
Mix the groups and repeat several times.
Real-World Connection
Explain that people use the number 1 every day:
- One person can eat one apple.
- One child can wear one hat.
- A family may have one pet.
- A clock has a number 1.
Invite the child to name one thing they have or see.
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, check whether the child can:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Say “one.”
- Give one object when asked.
- Choose one object from a group.
- Attempt to trace or draw the number 1.
Summative Assessment: Number 1 Challenge
Invite the child to complete these five playful challenges:
- Point to the number 1.
- Hold up one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Draw one picture.
- Trace or write the number 1.
Celebrate effort with specific feedback, such as: “You gave me one block. You counted carefully!”
Differentiation and Support
If the Child Needs More Support
- Use only one object and a group of many objects at first.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Allow pointing, touching, or showing one finger instead of answering verbally.
If the Child Is Ready for More
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or clock.
- Compare one object with two and three objects.
- Ask the child to make a collection with one object.
- Invite the child to write the word “one” with help.
- Play a simple game: “Find one red thing” or “Bring me one soft thing.”
Choice and Creativity
Let the child choose one final activity:
- Make a collage with one sticker.
- Build one tower with blocks.
- Paint one shape.
- Act out a story with one toy character.
- Sing the number 1 song again.
Conclusion and Recap
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up the numeral 1 and say:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one thing. We can show one with one finger, find one object, and try to write the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing?”
- “Can you draw the number 1 in the air?”
Finish by drawing a large number 1 in the air together and saying:
“One is fun! We know number 1!”
Optional Follow-Up
Throughout the day, look for examples of one. Say, “I see one ____,” and invite the child to find another one-object example.