Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Number card with the numeral 1
- One small toy or stuffed animal
- Paper
- Crayons or washable markers
- Small objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: music for a short movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize and say the number 1.
- Show one object when asked.
- Count one object using the words “one.”
- Trace or make the numeral 1.
- Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.
Success Criteria
“I know I can do it when I can say 1, find 1 thing, count 1 thing, and make the number 1.”
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Hook: Hold up one toy and say, “Look! I have one toy. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger and repeat: “One!”
Tell the child: “Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find one thing, count one thing, move one time, and make the number 1.”
Quick Conversation
- “How many noses do you have?”
- “How many mouths do you have?”
- “Can you find one toy?”
Accept pointing, speaking, or showing one finger as a response.
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: The Adult Models
Show the number card with 1.
Say slowly: “This is the number 1. It means one. One is just one thing.”
Place one object on the table. Touch it once and say:
“One.”
Model counting:
- Touch the object.
- Say “one.”
- Stop counting because there is only one object.
Model writing the number:
“Start at the top. Go down. This makes 1.”
Use your finger to trace the number in the air, on the table, or in a tray of play dough.
2. We Do: Practice Together
Find One
Place several objects nearby. Ask:
“Can you give me one block?”
Help the child choose exactly one block. Count it together: “One block.”
Repeat with different objects:
- One toy animal
- One crayon
- One spoon
- One sock
One-Move Game
Say, “When I say 1, do one move!”
- Take one jump.
- Clap one time.
- Spin one time.
- Tap your knees one time.
Pause and ask, “How many jumps did we do?” Encourage the answer, “One!”
Think, Show, and Say
Ask the child to think quietly, then show one finger and say the answer:
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Show me one toy.”
- “Show me one crayon.”
3. You Do: Independent Practice
Invite the child to complete the activities with as little help as needed.
Number 1 Hunt
Say, “Let’s look around the room for things that come in ones.”
The child may find examples such as one door, one table, one lamp, or one favorite stuffed animal.
For each item, ask, “What did you find? How many?”
Make the Number 1
Offer a choice of activities:
- Trace a large 1 with a crayon.
- Make a 1 with play dough.
- Draw a 1 in the air with one finger.
- Build a 1 with blocks.
Draw One
Ask the child to draw one favorite thing, such as one apple, one flower, or one person.
When finished, ask, “How many did you draw?” Help the child point to the picture and say, “One.”
Formative Assessment: Quick Checks
Use these checks during the lesson:
- Show the numeral 1 and ask, “What number is this?”
- Place one object and ask, “How many?”
- Place two or three objects and ask the child to give you one.
- Ask the child to show one finger.
- Ask the child to trace or make the numeral 1.
Give specific feedback: “You gave me one block. You counted carefully!”
Real-World Connection
During the day, point out examples of one:
- “You have one cup.”
- “You are wearing one hat.”
- “Let’s take one bite.”
- “You chose one book.”
Keep the examples playful and connected to the child’s daily life.
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Ask the child to complete this short challenge:
- Point to the number 1.
- Say “one.”
- Give you one object.
- Show one finger.
- Make or trace the number 1.
The child meets the goal by completing most tasks with little or no help. Celebrate effort as well as accuracy.
Differentiation and Choice
For Extra Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting and tracing.
- Use large objects and a large number card.
- Allow the child to answer by pointing, moving, or showing one finger.
- Repeat the same activity on another day.
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find one object in a group of several objects.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
- Invite the child to make a collection with one item in each group.
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or shopping list.
Conclusion and Recap
Hold up the number card and say:
“Today we learned about 1. One means just one thing. We showed one finger, counted one object, moved one time, and made the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Finish with a celebration: “You did one amazing job learning about 1!”
Optional Follow-Up Activity
Read a short counting book or look around the home for one of each item. Let the child choose whether to draw, build, point to, or collect examples of the number 1.