Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
- Paper and crayons
- Number cards, including a large card showing 1
- Optional: stickers, play dough, or small snack pieces
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Count one object correctly.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or try to write the number 1.
- Connect the number 1 with real-life examples.
Success Criteria
“I can show one thing, say ‘one,’ find the number 1, and try to make a 1.”
Introduction: One Special Thing
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy and say, “Look! I have one toy. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count slowly together:
“One!”
Tell the child:
“Today we are going to play with the number 1. One means just one thing.”
Quick Conversation
- “How many noses do you have?”
- “How many heads do you have?”
- “Can you find one toy?”
Body of the Lesson
Part 1: I Do — Meet the Number 1
Show the number card with 1.
Say:
“This is the number 1. It says ‘one.’ The number 1 tells us there is one thing.”
Place one toy next to the number card. Point and say:
“One number. One toy. They match!”
Use your finger to trace the number in the air while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes a 1.”
Quick Check
Ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many toys are here?”
- “Can you show one finger?”
Part 2: We Do — Find One
Place several groups of objects in front of the child. For example:
- One block
- Two crayons
- Three buttons or toys
Say:
“Let’s find the group with one thing.”
Help the child point to the group with one object. Count it together:
“One. There is one block.”
Repeat with safe household objects, such as one spoon, one sock, or one book.
Movement Game: One-Step Robot
Say:
“When I say ‘one,’ take one step!”
Call out:
- “One step!”
- “One jump!”
- “One clap!”
- “One wiggle!”
After each action, ask, “How many did you do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
Part 3: We Do — Make the Number 1
Draw a large number 1. Let the child trace it with a finger.
Next, make a number 1 using one of these choices:
- Roll play dough into a long shape and bend it into a 1.
- Place one sticker at the top and draw a line down.
- Use a crayon to trace a large dotted 1.
- Trace the number 1 in the air.
Use simple directions:
“Start at the top. Go down. You made a 1!”
Part 4: You Do — One-Thing Hunt
Invite the child to look around the room and find objects that come in ones.
Give clear directions:
- “Find one safe object.”
- “Bring it or point to it.”
- “Tell me what it is.”
- “Count it: one.”
Possible examples include one pillow, one shoe, one book, or one stuffed animal.
Choice Activity
Let the child choose one activity:
- Sticker 1: Decorate a large number 1 with stickers.
- Draw 1: Draw one sun, one flower, or one pet.
- Build 1: Build a tower using one block, then say “one block.”
- Snack 1: Choose one healthy snack piece and count it together.
Formative Assessment: Check as You Go
Notice whether the child can:
- Show one finger.
- Choose one object from a group.
- Say the word “one.”
- Recognize the number 1.
- Attempt to trace or make a 1.
Give specific encouragement:
- “You found one block!”
- “You counted carefully.”
- “You started at the top and made a line down.”
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Place a few objects in front of the child and ask the child to complete these tasks:
- “Show me one object.”
- “Which card shows the number 1?”
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Can you try to make a 1?”
The child is successful when they complete most tasks with little or no help.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Hold up the number 1 and say:
“Today we learned about 1. One means just one thing. We can find one, count one, and make the number 1.”
Child Recap
Invite the child to finish these sentences:
- “The number we learned is ___.”
- “One means ___ thing.”
- “I can show one by holding up ___ finger.”
End with a cheerful chant:
“One, one, number one! Learning numbers is fun!”
Differentiation and Extensions
For Extra Support
- Use only one object and one number card at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
- Repeat the words “one object” and “number 1.”
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find five different objects that come in ones.
- Mix number cards and ask the child to find 1 without help.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
- Invite the child to draw a picture containing one person, one animal, or one flower.
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, point out examples of one: one door, one moon in a drawing, one family pet, or one nose. Each time, ask the child to say, “One!”