Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Number cards, including the number 1
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, 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.
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or draw the numeral 1 with support.
- Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Give you one toy.
- Count one object: “One!”
- Make a number 1 with my finger, crayon, or body.
Introduction: The One-Object Hunt
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up one toy or object and say:
“Look! I have one teddy bear. One means just one.”
Invite the child to look around the room and find one item. The child may choose one block, one book, or one stuffed animal.
Ask:
- “What is your one thing?”
- “Can you hold up one finger?”
- “How many things are you holding?”
Tell the child:
“Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find it, count one thing, and make it.”
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child a large numeral 1. Trace it slowly with your finger while saying:
“This is 1. We say ‘one.’ Start at the top, go straight down, and stop.”
Show one object beside the numeral 1. Touch the object once and say:
“One number 1 goes with one object.”
Make a number 1 in different ways:
- Draw it in the air.
- Trace it on the table with a finger.
- Stand straight like the number 1.
Quick Check: Show the child two or three number cards, including 1. Ask, “Can you find number 1?”
2. We Do: Count One Together
Time: 7 minutes
Place several small objects in front of the child. Say:
“Let’s take one. Touch one block and say, ‘One.’”
Repeat with different objects, such as:
- One toy animal
- One crayon
- One button
- One sticker
Use a “one only” game:
- Ask the child to choose one object.
- Have the child place it in a bowl or on a paper.
- Count it together: “One!”
- Celebrate with a clap, high-five, or gentle cheer.
Think and Talk: Ask, “What is one thing you like?” The child may answer, “One car,” “One cookie,” or simply point to one object.
3. We Do: Number 1 Movement Song
Time: 5 minutes
Move together while saying:
“One finger up!” — Hold up one finger.
“One big clap!” — Clap once.
“One jump!” — Jump once.
“One turn around!” — Turn around once.
Repeat the actions slowly. Let the child choose one movement for everyone to do.
4. You Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Invite the child to choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace a large number 1 with a crayon.
- Build a number 1 using blocks.
- Make a number 1 with play dough.
- Decorate a large number 1 with one sticker at a time.
- Draw the number 1 in the air or on a tray of rice.
Give simple directions:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. You made 1!”
Do not require perfect handwriting. Praise effort and direction:
“You started at the top and went down. That looks like 1!”
5. You Do: One Treasure Basket
Time: 5 minutes
Give the child a small basket or bowl. Ask the child to find one item for each prompt:
- “Find one soft thing.”
- “Find one red thing.”
- “Find one toy.”
- “Find one thing you like.”
After each choice, ask:
“How many did you find?”
Help the child answer, “One!”
Real-World Connection
During the day, point out examples of one:
- “You have one nose.”
- “You are holding one cup.”
- “There is one sun in the sky.”
- “Let’s put one spoon on the table.”
Assessment
Formative Checks
- Ask the child to point to the number 1 among two or three cards.
- Ask the child to give you one object.
- Ask the child to hold up one finger.
- Observe whether the child counts one object without adding more.
- Invite the child to explain: “What does one mean?”
End-of-Lesson Demonstration
Ask the child to complete these three tasks:
- Find the numeral 1.
- Place one object next to it.
- Trace or make the numeral 1.
Success is shown when the child completes most tasks with little or no help.
Differentiation and Choice
For Extra Support
- Use only two number cards at a time.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and hold.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Allow pointing, showing, or moving instead of answering verbally.
For an Extra Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or around the house.
- Invite the child to draw one object and write 1 beside it.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
- Have the child sort objects into groups with one object in each group.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 3 minutes
Hold up the numeral 1 and one object. Say:
“Today we learned about 1. One means just one. We found number 1, counted one object, and made number 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you give me one high-five?”
Finish with one high-five and say:
“You did one amazing job learning about 1!”
Optional Follow-Up Activity
Make a “Number 1” page together. Write a large 1 on paper. Let the child draw or place exactly one item beside it, such as one sun, one balloon, or one flower. Display the page where the child can see it.