Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Paper
- Crayons or washable markers
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Large card or paper with the numeral 1
- Small bowl or basket
- Five to ten safe household objects, such as blocks, socks, or spoons
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say that 1 means “one.”
- Count one object correctly.
- Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
- Show one object when asked.
Success Criteria
“I can show one, say one, and make the number 1.”
Introduction: Meet Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up one favorite toy and say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are learning about the number 1!”
Show the numeral 1.
Say together:
“This is number 1. Number 1 means one.”
Invite the child to:
- Hold up one finger.
- Say “one.”
- Find one object nearby.
Body
I Do: See and Make One
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects in front of the child. Slowly model the steps:
- Touch one object.
- Move it into the bowl or basket.
- Say, “I have one object.”
- Point to the numeral 1.
Explain:
“When we have one object, we can show the number 1.”
Use one finger to draw the number in the air. Say:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. This makes a 1.”
Quick check: Ask, “How many toys are in the basket?” Encourage the child to answer, “One.”
We Do: One or More?
Time: 7 minutes
Place one object in front of the child. Ask:
“Is this one object or many objects?”
Count it together by touching it:
“One.”
Now place two or three objects in front of the child. Ask:
“Is this one? Let’s count together.”
Repeat with different groups of objects. Sometimes show one object and sometimes show more than one.
Invite the child to move exactly one object into the basket each time you say:
“Put in one!”
Think and talk:
- “Can you find one spoon?”
- “Can you find one block?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Movement Game: Number 1 Says
Time: 5 minutes
Play a simple movement game. Give one action at a time:
- “Do one jump.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Take one step.”
- “Touch one toe.”
- “Spin one time.”
After each action, ask, “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One.”
You Do: Make Number 1
Time: 8–10 minutes
Let the child choose one of the following activities:
Choice A: Trace Number 1
Write several large numerals 1 on paper. Invite the child to trace them with a crayon or finger.
Choice B: Build Number 1
Help the child roll play dough into a long piece and shape it like the numeral 1.
Choice C: Draw One
Ask the child to draw one item, such as one sun, one flower, or one balloon. Help the child write or trace the numeral 1 beside the drawing.
Choice D: Make a Number 1 Collage
Draw a large numeral 1. Let the child decorate it with crayons, safe stickers, or small paper pieces.
While the child works, use simple talking points:
- “You made a 1!”
- “Your picture has one ____.”
- “Let’s count it: one.”
Formative Assessment
Check understanding during the lesson by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1 among two or three different numerals.
- Show one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Count one object.
- Say what number means “one.”
If the child is unsure, model the answer and try again with fewer objects.
Real-World Connection
Look around the home together and find things that come in ones:
- One nose
- One mouth
- One sun in the sky
- One front door
- One favorite toy
Say:
“We see the number 1 all around us!”
Conclusion: Show What You Know
Time: 5 minutes
Place the numeral 1 and several objects in front of the child. Ask the child to complete this short challenge:
- Point to number 1.
- Put one object beside it.
- Show one finger.
- Say, “One!”
- Trace or draw a 1.
Recap together:
“Today we learned that 1 means one. We can show one, count one, and make the number 1.”
Summative Assessment
The child demonstrates learning by completing at least three of the following independently:
- Recognizes the numeral 1.
- Counts one object accurately.
- Shows one finger.
- Gives one object when asked.
- Traces or creates a recognizable numeral 1.
Differentiation
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Use large materials that are easy to touch and move.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find one object in another room.
- Mix the numeral 1 with other numerals and ask the child to find it.
- Ask the child to make a group of one object and a group of more than one object.
- Invite the child to draw one item and explain what it is.
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, play “Find One.” Ask:
“Can you find one blue thing?”
“Can you bring me one sock?”
“Can you give your toy one hug?”
Celebrate each success by saying, “You found one!”