Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Marker or crayon
- Number cards or paper showing the number 1
- Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or pom-poms
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Paper and crayons
- A small basket or bowl
- Optional: a favorite toy or stuffed animal
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Say the number 1.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
- Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.
Success Criteria
The child is successful when they can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Count one object correctly.
- Make or trace a number 1 with help or independently.
- Explain that “one” means just a single thing.
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 going to play with the number 1!”
Show the number card or write a large 1. Invite the child to say:
“This is number 1. Can you say 1?”
Tell the child:
“Today we will find 1, count 1, and make 1.”
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: Show and Model
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects in front of the child. Slowly model how to choose one object.
Say:
“I will take one block. One.”
Hold up the block and point to the number 1.
Count slowly:
“One.”
Explain in simple language:
“One means not two and not three. One means just one.”
Use your finger to trace the number 1 in the air. Say:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. This is number 1.”
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 5–7 minutes
Place a few groups of objects in front of the child. Some groups should have one object, while others have two or three.
Ask:
- “Which group has one toy?”
- “Can you touch one block?”
- “Can you put one pom-pom in the bowl?”
After each answer, count with the child:
“One. You found one!”
Think-and-share: Ask the child to look around the room and find one item. The child may choose one chair, one book, one shoe, or one toy.
3. We Do: Number 1 Movement Game
Time: 5 minutes
Invite the child to move one time when you give an instruction:
- “Do one jump.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Turn around one time.”
- “Tap your knees one time.”
Pause after each action and ask:
“How many did you do?”
Encourage the child to answer:
“One!”
4. You Do: Make Number 1
Time: 7–10 minutes
Give the child play dough or clay. Model making a long, thin line and shaping it into a number 1.
Say:
“Let’s make number 1. Make one long line. Now add a little top.”
Let the child make the number 1 independently or with help.
Offer choices:
- Make number 1 with play dough.
- Trace number 1 with a crayon.
- Build number 1 with blocks.
- Draw number 1 with a finger in the air.
5. You Do: One-Object Basket Hunt
Time: 7 minutes
Place several safe household objects nearby. Ask the child to choose one object and put it in the basket.
Use clear directions:
- “Pick one object.”
- “Put one object in the basket.”
- “Count it with me.”
- “Say, ‘I have one ___.’”
Examples:
- “I have one spoon.”
- “I have one sock.”
- “I have one toy.”
Quick Checks for Understanding
Ask the child these questions throughout the lesson:
- “What number is this?” while showing 1.
- “Can you give me one block?”
- “How many toys are in your hand?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing in the room?”
Give specific feedback:
- “You gave me one block. You counted carefully.”
- “You found the number 1!”
- “You made a number 1 with a long line.”
Creative Application: Make a Number 1 Picture
Time: 5–10 minutes
Ask the child to draw one large number 1. Then invite them to add one favorite thing beside it, such as one sun, one flower, one pet, or one person.
Talk about the picture using simple sentences:
“I see number 1. I see one sun.”
Let the child choose what to draw. The child may also decorate the number 1 with stickers, crayons, or small pieces of paper.
Differentiation and Support
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1.
- Use the phrase “one means one thing” often.
- Count slowly while touching the object once.
- Offer two choices: “Do you want one block or one toy?”
For a Child Ready for a Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in books, signs, or labels.
- Invite the child to draw one object for several different categories.
- Ask, “Can you make a group with one red object?”
- Compare one object with a group of two objects.
- Invite the child to teach a toy or family member about number 1.
Conclusion and Recap
Time: 3–5 minutes
Show the number 1 again and ask the child to complete these sentences:
- “This is number ___.”
- “One means ___ thing.”
- “I can show one by holding up ___ finger.”
Finish with a short chant:
“One, one, number 1! One small step, and we are done!”
Ask the child:
“What was your favorite number 1 activity?”
Final Assessment
Invite the child to complete this quick demonstration:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one object.
- Show one finger.
- Make or trace a number 1.
- Say, “One means one thing.”
Celebrate the child’s effort with specific praise:
“You recognized, counted, and made number 1. Great learning!”
Optional Everyday Practice
During the day, look for natural chances to practice:
- Put one napkin on the table.
- Choose one book to read.
- Find one red item.
- Take one big step.
- Give one hug.