Fun With the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon, marker, or pencil
• Five small toys, blocks, or household objects
• Paper and stickers or dot markers
• One snack, such as a cracker or piece of fruit
• 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.
• Trace or make the numeral 1.
• Find one item in a group of objects.

Success Criteria

Success looks like this:

• “I can show one finger.”
• “I can find one toy.”
• “I can say the number one.”
• “I can try to write the number 1.”

Introduction: Hook and Objectives

Say: “Today we are going on a number hunt! We will look for the number 1 and find things that come in groups of one.”

Hold up one finger and ask:

• “How many fingers am I holding up?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one nose, one mouth, or one belly button?”

Tell the child: “The number 1 means just one thing.”

Body of the Lesson

Part 1: I Do — Meet the Number 1

Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.

Say: “This is the number 1. It is called one. One means there is only one.”

Show one toy next to the numeral 1.

Say: “Here is one toy. I see one toy. One toy matches the number 1.”

Trace the number slowly while saying:

“Start at the top. Go down. Now we have 1.”

Quick Check: Ask the child to point to the number 1. Then ask, “How many toys are here?”

Part 2: We Do — Find One

Place two or three different groups of objects in front of the child. For example:

• One block
• Two cars
• Three buttons

Work together to find the group with one object.

Say: “Let’s touch and count. One. This group has one block.”

Repeat with different objects. Let the child choose household items, such as:

• One spoon
• One sock
• One book
• One stuffed animal

Think-and-Talk: Ask, “Can you find one thing in this room?” Allow the child to walk around and choose an object.

Part 3: Movement Game — Show Me One

Give simple directions. The child should do each action one time:

• “Clap one time.”
• “Jump one time.”
• “Spin one time.”
• “Tap your knee one time.”

After each action, ask, “How many times did you do it?”

Variation: Play music. When the music stops, the child holds up one finger.

Part 4: We Do — Make a Number 1 Picture

Give the child paper and crayons, stickers, or dot markers.

Invite the child to make a picture with one special item.

Choices might include:

• One sun
• One flower
• One balloon
• One big button
• One favorite animal

Say: “Your picture will have one special thing. What will you choose?”

Help the child count the chosen item: “Let’s check. One. You made one flower.”

Part 5: You Do — Practice Making the Number 1

Show the child how to make the numeral 1 again.

Invite the child to:

1. Trace a large numeral 1 with a finger.
2. Trace it with a crayon.
3. Try to make one independently.

The child may also make the number 1 using:

• A finger in the air
• A toy car driving along a drawn 1
• A finger in sand, rice, or shaving foam
• One strip of play dough

Encouragement: “You started at the top and went down. You are practicing the number 1!”

Real-World Number Hunt

Walk through the home together and look for things that come in groups of one.

Ask:

• “Can you find one door?”
• “Can you find one clock?”
• “Can you find one pillow?”
• “Can you find one book you like?”

Allow the child to choose one item to bring back and show you.

Formative Assessment: Quick Checks

During the lesson, check whether the child can:

• Point to the numeral 1.
• Hold up one finger.
• Give you one object when asked.
• Identify which group has one object.
• Attempt to trace or make the numeral 1.

If the child needs help, use fewer objects and count slowly together.

Summative Assessment: “Show Me One” Challenge

Place three groups of objects in front of the child. Include one group with exactly one object.

Ask the child to:

1. Point to the group with one object.
2. Give you one object.
3. Show one finger.
4. Point to the numeral 1.
5. Try to make the numeral 1.

Celebrate: “You found one, showed one, and made the number 1!”

Differentiation and Choice

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Count aloud while touching the object.
• Use hand-over-hand guidance for tracing if needed.
• Let the child answer by pointing, moving, or speaking.

For More Challenge

• Ask the child to find the numeral 1 in a book or on a label.
• Invite the child to make a collection of one item from different rooms.
• Ask, “What is one more than zero?”
• Have the child draw a picture with one sun, one house, or one animal.

Conclusion and Recap

Gather the materials and review the lesson.

Ask:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “What does 1 mean?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one thing?”

Say: “Today we learned that the number 1 means one thing. We found one object, moved one time, and practiced making the number 1.”

End with a short celebration: clap one time and say, “Hooray for number 1!”

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Read a counting book and look for groups of one.
• Put one toy in each small box or cup.
• Make a snack plate with one chosen food.
• Sing a song while holding up one finger.
• Look for the numeral 1 during a walk or while reading signs.