Fun With the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Marker or crayon
• One small toy or household object
• Several safe objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: music for a movement activity

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say that 1 means “one.”
• Show one object when asked.
• Practice making the number 1.
• Use the idea of “one” in a real-life situation.

Success Criteria

Success looks like this:

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

Introduction: One Special Thing

Time: 5 minutes

Hold up one favorite toy or object.

Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going to play with the number 1.”

Ask:

• “How many toys am I holding?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one thing near you?”

Let the child look around and choose one safe object.

Body of the Lesson

Part 1: I Do — Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

Draw a large number 1 on paper or a whiteboard.

Say: “This is the number 1. We say, ‘one.’ The number 1 tells us there is one thing.”

Point to one object and count slowly:

Say: “One.”

Show a group of two or three objects, then show one object again.

Say: “This is more than one. This is one. One is just one thing.”

Quick Check: Show one object and ask, “How many?” Then show several objects and ask, “Is this one?”

Part 2: We Do — Find One

Time: 7 minutes

Place several objects in front of the child.

Instructions:

1. Ask the child to touch one object.
2. Ask the child to pick up one object.
3. Ask the child to give you one object.
4. Put the object down and count it together: “One.”

Repeat with different objects, such as one block, one crayon, or one toy animal.

Say: “You gave me one block. Great counting!”

Think-and-Share Questions

• “Can you find one red object?”
• “Can you bring me one book?”
• “How many noses do you have?”
• “How many mouths do you have?”

Part 3: Move Like Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

Invite the child to move while practicing “one.”

Give one instruction at a time:

• “Take one big jump.”
• “Clap one time.”
• “Spin one time.”
• “Tap your knees one time.”
• “Give one high-five.”

After each action, count together: “One!”

Safety Note: Give the child enough space to move safely.

Part 4: We Do — Make the Number 1

Time: 7 minutes

Show the child how to make the number 1.

Say: “Start at the top. Go down. This makes a 1.”

Use a large arm movement in the air first. Then let the child:

• Trace the number 1 with a finger.
• Trace the number 1 in the air.
• Trace the number 1 in sand, flour, or rice, if available.
• Try drawing the number 1 with a crayon.

Do not worry about perfect handwriting. Praise effort and direction.

Say: “You started at the top and went down. You made a number 1!”

Part 5: You Do — One-Object Hunt

Time: 8 minutes

Invite the child to look around the home and find objects in groups of one.

Instructions:

1. Find one spoon.
2. Find one sock.
3. Find one book.
4. Find one toy.
5. Choose one favorite object.

After each item, ask:

“How many did you find?”

Encourage the child to answer, “One.”

Choice: The child may find objects, draw one object, or take turns finding one item with an adult.

Part 6: Creative Activity — Draw One

Time: 8 minutes

Give the child paper and crayons.

Instructions: “Draw one sun, one flower, one animal, or one person. You choose!”

When the drawing is finished, ask the child to tell you about it.

Ask:

• “What did you draw?”
• “How many did you draw?”
• “Can you point to one part of your picture?”

Write the number 1 next to the drawing and say, “You drew one picture.”

Formative Assessment

Check understanding during the lesson by asking the child to:

• Point to the number 1.
• Show one finger.
• Give you one object.
• Take one step or one jump.
• Tell you how many objects are in a group of one.

If the child is unsure, model the answer and try again with fewer objects.

Summative Assessment: Show Me One

Time: 5 minutes

Place several objects in front of the child and say:

“Can you show me one?”

Then ask the child to:

1. Choose one object.
2. Count it aloud.
3. Point to the numeral 1.
4. Try to draw the number 1.

Simple success check:

• Ready: The child identifies one object and recognizes the numeral 1.
• Almost ready: The child can show one with help.
• Still practicing: The child needs more practice matching one object to the word “one.”

Differentiation and Support

For a Child Who Needs More Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Use hand-over-hand guidance to point to one object.
• Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
• Practice showing one finger before using written numbers.
• Use large, colorful objects that are easy to see and hold.

For a Child Ready for More

• Ask the child to find one object of a certain color or shape.
• Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
• Ask the child to make the number 1 using blocks, play dough, or craft sticks.
• Invite the child to look for the number 1 in a book, calendar, or clock.
• Ask, “What would happen if we added one more?”

Real-World Connection

During the day, look for natural chances to practice one:

• Put one plate on the table.
• Choose one snack.
• Put one shoe on each foot.
• Read one short book.
• Give one hug or high-five.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Time: 3 minutes

Hold up the numeral 1 and ask:

• “What number is this?”
• “How many is one?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “What is one thing you found today?”

Recap together:

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

End with one clap and say, “Hooray for number 1!”