One Wonderful Number: Learning About 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a small whiteboard
- Crayon, marker, or pencil
- Number cards or a paper with the number 1
- Small objects, such as blocks, toy cars, buttons, or stuffed animals
- Paper and stickers or stamps
- A small container or basket
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Say the number word “one.”
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make a simple number 1.
- Connect the number 1 to everyday things.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Count one object.
- Find one thing.
- Make a number 1.
Introduction: One Big Surprise
Time: 5 minutes
Place one favorite toy in a basket. Cover it with a cloth or piece of paper.
Say: “I have a surprise in the basket. Let’s see how many toys are inside!”
Reveal the toy and say slowly: “There is one toy. One means just one.”
Show the number card or write 1.
Say: “This is the number 1. Today we will play with one!”
Talk Together
- “Can you hold up one finger?”
- “Can you find one toy?”
- “Can you give me one clap?”
Give positive feedback, such as: “You showed one finger. Great counting!”
Body: I Do — Watch Me
Time: 5 minutes
1. See the Number
Point to the number 1.
Say: “This is 1. It looks like a straight line. The number 1 tells us there is one.”
2. Count One Object
Place one block on the table. Touch it and say:
“One.”
Move the block slightly and say:
“It is still one block.”
3. Make the Number 1
Use your finger to trace the number 1 in the air. Say:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Model making a large number 1 on paper.
We Do — Let’s Try Together
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1: Find One
Place several groups of objects nearby. For example, place one block in one group, two blocks in another group, and three blocks in another group.
Ask: “Which group has one block?”
Let the child point to or pick up the group with one object.
Repeat with different objects, such as one car, one spoon, or one stuffed animal.
Activity 2: One-Step Actions
Give playful directions. The child should do each action only once:
- “Take one jump.”
- “Give one clap.”
- “Touch one button.”
- “Put one block in the basket.”
- “Wave one time.”
Ask after each action: “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One.”
Activity 3: Trace and Decorate 1
Draw a large number 1 on paper. Invite the child to:
- Trace the number with a finger.
- Trace it with a crayon.
- Add one sticker or one dot to the page.
Say: “You made the number 1. You also used one sticker!”
You Do — Show What You Know
Time: 10 minutes
Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Invite the child to look around the home and find things that come in groups of one.
Use simple examples, such as:
- One pillow
- One shoe
- One book
- One spoon
- One stuffed animal
For each item, ask:
- “What did you find?”
- “How many did you find?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Child’s Choice Activity
Let the child choose one activity:
- Build a tower with one block.
- Draw one favorite thing.
- Find one toy and place it in the basket.
- Make one number 1 with play dough, a finger, or a crayon.
Ask the child to explain: “I chose one ______.”
Formative Assessment: Quick Checks
Use these checks during the lesson. Keep them playful and encouraging.
- Show two number cards, including 1. Ask: “Which one is 1?”
- Place three objects nearby. Ask: “Can you give me one?”
- Ask: “How many fingers are you holding up?”
- Ask the child to trace or draw a number 1.
If the child needs help, model the answer and try again without pressure.
Summative Assessment: One Show-and-Tell
Invite the child to choose one object and complete these steps:
- Pick one object.
- Say, “I have one ______.”
- Point to the number 1.
- Make or trace the number 1.
The child is successful when they can complete most steps with little or no help.
Conclusion: Tell Me About One
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up the number 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Recap together:
“Today we learned that 1 means one. We found one object, counted one object, and made the number 1.”
Finish with one clap and say: “One great job!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number.
- Repeat the same language: “One means just one.”
- Use large objects and large writing movements.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or on a calendar.
- Ask the child to collect one object from several different rooms.
- Invite the child to compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
- Ask the child to think of a sentence using “one,” such as “I have one teddy bear.”
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, point out natural examples of one:
- One sun
- One nose
- One moon
- One snack on a plate
Each time, ask: “How many?” Encourage the child to answer: “One!”