All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Marker or crayon
- One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
- Number cards or a paper card showing 1
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Paper and crayons
- 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 the number word “one.”
- Count one object correctly.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make a simple numeral 1.
Success Criteria
“I can” statements:
- I can point to 1.
- I can say “one.”
- I can give you one thing.
- I can make a number 1.
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Hook: Place one favorite toy in front of the child.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Can you hold up one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger and say, “One!” Repeat together several times using a happy voice, a quiet voice, and a silly robot voice.
Quick Talk
- “How many toys do you see?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Teacher or Adult Models
Show the numeral card with 1.
Say: “This is the number 1. We call it one. One looks like a straight line with a little slant at the top.”
Draw a large 1 slowly while saying:
“Start at the top, slide down, and stop at the bottom.”
Place one block beside the numeral 1. Point to the block and say, “One block.” Then point to the numeral and say, “The number 1 tells us there is one block.”
Formative Check
Ask:
- “Which card shows 1?”
- “How many blocks are here?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Give specific feedback: “You found the number 1!” or “You showed one finger. One means just one.”
We Do: Count and Move
Do each action together. Emphasize that every action happens only once.
- Clap one time.
- Jump one time.
- Tap the table one time.
- Give one high-five.
- Take one big breath.
After each action, ask, “How many times did we do it?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
Hands-On Game: Find One
Place several safe objects nearby. Give clear instructions:
- “Find one block.”
- “Find one crayon.”
- “Find one toy.”
- “Put each one beside the number 1.”
After each turn, count the object together: “One.” Make sure the child touches the object while counting.
We Do: Make the Number 1
Use play dough to make a long, straight shape. Bend the top slightly to make a numeral 1.
Say: “Let’s make one. Start at the top, go down, and stop.”
Next, have the child trace a large number 1 drawn by the adult. The child may trace with:
- A finger
- A crayon
- A toy car
- A piece of play dough
You Do: Number 1 Practice
Invite the child to complete these tasks independently, offering help only when needed:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Show one finger.
- Choose one object from a small group.
- Draw or trace one numeral 1.
Creative Choice Activity
Let the child choose one activity:
- One-Thing Drawing: Draw one sun, one flower, or one animal.
- Number 1 Collage: Decorate a large numeral 1 with crayons or stickers.
- One Treasure Hunt: Find one soft item, one red item, or one round item.
- One-Object Story: Tell a short story about one toy going on an adventure.
Real-World Connection
Point out examples of one during the day:
- One nose
- One mouth
- One sun in the sky
- One cup at snack time
- One book chosen for reading
Ask: “Can you find one thing in our home?”
Assessment
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, observe whether the child can:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object without adding extra numbers.
- Show one finger.
- Follow a one-step direction.
Summative Demonstration
Ask the child to complete this “Number 1 Challenge”:
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Give me one toy.”
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Make a number 1 with your finger, crayon, or play dough.”
Goal: The child completes at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Hold up the numeral 1 and say:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We can show one finger, count one object, and make the number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “What is one thing you liked doing?”
Finish with one clap and say together: “Hooray for number 1!”
Differentiation and Support
- For extra support: Use only one object at a time, provide hand-over-hand guidance, and repeat the words “one” and “1” often.
- For visual learners: Use a large numeral card and match it to one object.
- For active learners: Practice one jump, one clap, and one step.
- For learners developing language: Accept pointing, gestures, or signing for “one” before expecting spoken words.
- For an extension: Place groups of objects nearby and ask, “Which group has one?” Then invite the child to compare one object with a group of two or three.
Optional Follow-Up
Throughout the day, look for one object together. Each time, the child can point to the numeral 1, hold up one finger, or say “one.”