Number 1 Adventure: One Big Thing!
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a small whiteboard
- Crayon, marker, or pencil
- Five to ten small safe objects, such as blocks, toy animals, or buttons
- Paper with a large number 1 written on it
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: music for a movement game
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 make the shape of the number 1.
- Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- “I can find the number 1.”
- “I can give you one thing.”
- “I can count one object.”
- “I can make a number 1.”
Introduction: The One-and-Only Surprise
Time: 5 minutes
Place one interesting object in front of the child, such as one toy animal or one colorful block.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger and say, “One!”
Explain: “Today we are going on a number 1 adventure. We will find one, count one, and make one.”
Body: Learn and Practice
1. I Do: Meet Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child the large number 1.
Say: “This is number 1. It looks like a straight line. Number 1 tells us there is one thing.”
Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top. Go down. Number 1!”
Place one object beside the number 1.
Say: “This is one block. The number 1 tells us how many blocks we see.”
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 5–7 minutes
Place several groups of objects in front of the child. For example, make groups with one block, two blocks, and three blocks.
Ask:
- “Which group has one block?”
- “Can you touch one block?”
- “Can you give me one toy?”
Count together slowly: “One.”
Repeat with different objects. Let the child choose which objects to count.
3. Movement Game: One-Step Action
Time: 5 minutes
Say: “When I say ‘one,’ do one action.”
Try the following:
- Take one jump.
- Clap one time.
- Stamp one foot.
- Spin one time.
- Give one big wave.
After each action, ask: “How many did you do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
4. We Do: Make Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Invite the child to make number 1 using play dough.
- Roll the play dough into one long piece.
- Place it on the number 1 shape.
- Trace the number with a finger.
- Say, “This is number 1.”
Next, let the child trace the number 1 with a crayon or marker. The child may also draw one object next to it.
5. You Do: Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Time: 8–10 minutes
Say: “Let’s look for things that come in ones!”
Ask the child to find one safe item in the room, such as one book, one sock, or one stuffed animal.
For each item, ask the child to:
- Bring only one item.
- Hold it up.
- Say, “I found one _____.”
Give the child a choice: “Would you like to find one blue thing or one soft thing?”
Quick Checks for Understanding
- Show the child the numbers 1 and 2. Ask, “Which number is 1?”
- Place three objects nearby and ask, “Can you give me one?”
- Ask, “How many fingers are you holding up?”
- Ask the child to make a number 1 in the air with a finger.
Give specific feedback: “You gave me one block. You counted carefully!”
Real-World Connection
Look around the home together and talk about things that may come in ones:
- One nose
- One mouth
- One sun
- One front door
- One favorite toy
Say: “Numbers help us talk about how many things we have.”
Summative Activity: Show Me One
Time: 5 minutes
Ask the child to complete these tasks independently:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Count the object by saying “one.”
- Trace or draw the number 1.
Simple success goal: The child completes at least four of the five tasks with little or no help.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3–5 minutes
Hold up the number 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many is one?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “What is one thing you found?”
Recap together:
“Today we learned number 1. One means just one. We found one, counted one, moved one time, and made number 1.”
Celebrate the child’s effort with a high-five, a sticker, or a special “Number 1 Champion” cheer.
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use only one object and one number card at first.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing number 1.
- Repeat the words “one” and “just one” often.
- Allow pointing, showing fingers, or speaking as different ways to answer.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find one object of a certain color or texture.
- Invite the child to draw one person, one animal, or one flower.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?” and introduce the idea of two informally.
- Have the child look for the number 1 in a book, calendar, or safe household item.
Flexible Learning Options
- At home: Use household objects during the treasure hunt.
- Outdoors: Find one leaf, one rock, or one flower without picking living plants.
- Digital: Show a number 1 on screen and invite the child to trace it in the air.
- With a group: Let each child choose one object and share it with the group.
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, ask playful questions such as:
- “Can you bring me one spoon?”
- “Can you take one step to the door?”
- “Can you find one red thing?”