Fun With the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
• Several small objects, such as buttons, blocks, or pom-poms
• Paper and stickers
• Optional: music for a 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.”
• Count one object correctly.
• Trace or make a simple numeral 1.
• Find examples of one thing in everyday life.

Success Criteria

“I can…”

• Point to the number 1.
• Show one object.
• Count one object by saying “one.”
• Try to write or trace 1.

Introduction: One Special Thing

Hook

Hold up one favorite toy and say:

“Look! I have one toy. Can you hold up one finger?”

Invite the child to hold up one finger. Celebrate the attempt with a high five, clap, or cheerful “You found one!”

Tell the Learner What They Will Learn

Say:

“Today we will learn about the number 1. One means just one thing. We will find it, count it, move it, and make it.”

Body of the Lesson

Part 1: I Do—Meet the Number 1

1. Draw or show a large numeral 1.
2. Say, “This is the number 1. We say one.”
3. Hold up one finger and say, “One finger.”
4. Place one toy on the table and say, “One toy.”
5. Tap the table one time and say, “One tap.”

Use different voices or movements:

• Whisper: “One.”
• Say it loudly: “ONE!”
• Jump one time.
• Clap one time.

Quick Check

Ask:

• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “How many toys are here?”
• “Which number is this?”

Part 2: We Do—Find One

Place several groups of objects on the table. For example, show one block, two buttons, and three pom-poms.

Say:

“Let’s find the group with one object. Touch each group. Which group has one?”

Work together to touch and count:

• “One block.”
• “One, two buttons.”
• “One, two, three pom-poms.”

One Treasure Hunt

Invite the child to find one item in the room. They may choose one shoe, one book, one pillow, or one spoon.

Ask:

• “What did you find?”
• “How many did you bring?”
• “Can you show me one?”

Part 3: We Do—Move One

Give the child a small group of objects.

1. Ask the child to push one object forward.
2. Ask the child to put one object in a cup or basket.
3. Ask the child to give one object to a toy or stuffed animal.
4. Count each action together: “One!”

Use playful directions:

• “Give the bear one block.”
• “Put one pom-pom in the cup.”
• “Move one car.”

Quick Check

Pause and ask, “Did we move one or many?” Let the child answer, point, or show one finger.

Part 4: You Do—Make the Number 1

Show the child how to make the number 1:

1. “Start at the top.”
2. “Go down.”
3. “Now we have 1!”

Invite the child to try one or more of these choices:

• Trace a large number 1 with a finger.
• Draw 1 with a crayon.
• Make 1 using a piece of yarn or a craft stick.
• Trace 1 in flour, sand, or shaving cream.
• Decorate a large number 1 with one sticker.

Say:

“Your number does not need to look perfect. You are practicing!”

Part 5: One-Movement Song

Sing or chant the following while acting it out:

“One little clap—clap!
One little jump—jump!
One little spin—spin!
Number 1 is fun!”

Repeat the song with the child choosing a new one-time movement, such as one stomp, one wave, or one hop.

Real-World Connection

Talk about things that often come in ones:

• One nose
• One sun in the sky
• One moon we can see
• One birthday each year
• One spoon for snack time

Ask, “Can you find one thing near you?” Allow the child to choose the example.

Assessment

Formative Assessment During the Lesson

• Ask the child to point to the numeral 1 among two or three numerals.
• Ask the child to give you one object.
• Ask the child to show one finger.
• Watch whether the child counts one object one time.
• Listen for the child using the word “one.”

End-of-Lesson Demonstration

Place three small groups of objects on the table: one object, two objects, and three objects. Ask the child to:

1. Point to the group with one object.
2. Choose the numeral 1.
3. Count the one object.
4. Draw or trace 1.

Simple Success Guide

• Learning: The child recognizes 1 and shows one object with help.
• Practicing: The child recognizes 1 and counts one object with a reminder.
• Ready: The child independently recognizes 1, shows one object, and attempts to write 1.

Differentiation and Choice

For a Child Who Needs More Support

• Use only one object at a time before comparing groups.
• Use a large numeral 1 with a clear outline.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing, if the child welcomes help.
• Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
• Use familiar objects, such as one favorite toy or one snack.

For a Child Ready for More Challenge

• Ask the child to find all the numeral 1s on a page or in a book.
• Ask the child to make a collection with one item and explain it.
• Compare one with zero and two: “Which group has one?”
• Invite the child to draw one object next to the numeral 1.
• Ask the child to make a short “number 1” book with one picture on each page.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Show the numeral 1 again and ask:

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

Recap together:

“Today we learned that 1 means one. We counted one object, moved one object, and practiced making the number 1.”

End with a celebration such as a high five, one clap, or one special sticker.

Optional Follow-Up Activity

During the day, invite the child to look for the number 1 on clocks, books, signs, calendars, or labels. Each time the child finds one, say, “You found 1!”