All About the Number 1: One Big Adventure

Materials Needed

• One large paper or cardboard number 1
• Small objects, such as blocks, toy animals, or buttons
• Paper and crayons
• Play dough
• One favorite toy or stuffed animal
• Optional: number 1 song or counting song

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say that “1” means one object.
• Count one object correctly.
• Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
• Find examples of one thing in the real world.

Success Criteria

Success looks like this:

• “I can point to the number 1.”
• “I can give you one object.”
• “I can count one thing.”
• “I can make a number 1.”

Introduction: Meet Number 1

Hook: Place one favorite toy in front of the child.

Say: “Look! I found one toy. One means there is not a group. There is just one.”

Show the large numeral 1 and say:

“This is the number 1. It tells us about one thing. Can you say, ‘Number 1’?”

Quick Talk

• “How many toys do you see?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “What is one thing you like?”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Watch Me Find One

Place several objects on the table. Pick up only one block.

Say: “I am taking one block. Let’s count it: one.”

Point to the numeral 1 and say: “The number 1 matches one block.”

Repeat with one toy animal or one button. Emphasize that one object can look different, but the amount is still one.

Formative Check

Ask: “If I give you one block, how many blocks do you have?”

Listen for the answer “one.” If needed, gently count with the child while touching the object once.

We Do: One-Thing Hunt

Say: “Let’s go on a one-thing hunt! We will find one thing at a time.”

1. Find one book.
2. Find one sock.
3. Find one spoon.
4. Find one stuffed animal.

Each time, ask:

• “What did you find?”
• “How many did you find?”
• “Can you touch it and count one?”

Movement option: Do one jump, one clap, one stomp, and one twirl. Count each action once.

We Do: Build the Number 1

Use play dough to make a long line. Help the child bend or shape it into the numeral 1.

Say: “Number 1 can look like a straight line. Let’s make one number 1.”

Invite the child to:

• Roll one play dough snake.
• Make one number 1.
• Place one small object beside it.

You Do: Show Me One

Give the child a small group of objects. Say:

“Please give me one block.”

“Now give me one toy.”

“Can you put one button on the paper?”

Allow the child to choose which object to use. Celebrate accurate attempts with specific feedback:

“You gave me one block. You counted carefully!”

You Do: Number 1 Art

Write or lightly trace several large number 1 shapes on paper. Invite the child to:

• Trace the number 1 with a crayon.
• Color one number 1.
• Decorate it with one sticker or one dot.

As the child works, repeat: “You are making the number 1. Number 1 means one.”

Real-World Connection

Talk about things that come in ones:

• One nose
• One sun in the sky
• One moon we can see at night
• One name for each person
• One birthday cake for a birthday celebration

Invite the child to choose one example and draw it.

Fun Review Game: One or More?

Show the child groups of objects, sometimes showing one object and sometimes showing two or three.

Ask: “Is this one, or is it more than one?”

For an active version, say:

• “Touch your head one time.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Give the stuffed animal one hug.”

Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Observe whether the child points to the numeral 1.
• Ask the child to select one object from a group.
• Listen for correct use of the word “one.”
• Watch whether the child counts one object with one touch or point.

Summative Demonstration

Ask the child to complete these four tasks:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Give you one object.
3. Show one finger.
4. Make or trace a number 1.

The child demonstrates learning by completing at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.

Differentiation and Support

For Extra Support

• Use only two choices: one object or many objects.
• Guide the child’s hand while counting one object.
• Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
• Repeat the phrase: “One means just one.”

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or on a sign.
• Invite the child to draw one picture and label it with the numeral 1.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?” and introduce the idea of two.
• Let the child lead the one-thing hunt for someone else.

Conclusion: Tell Me What You Learned

Gather the materials and hold up the large numeral 1.

Ask:

• “What number is this?”
• “What does number 1 mean?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Tell me one thing you found today.”

Finish by saying together:

“Number 1 means one. I can find one, count one, and make one!”

Optional Follow-Up Activity

During the day, invite the child to take a “number 1 picture walk.” Look for one door, one tree, one cup, or one pet. Each time, say, “We found one!”