Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One large paper or cardboard number 1
- Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Paper
- Crayons or washable markers
- Play dough
- Optional: a favorite song or music player
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one item when asked.
- Practice making the shape of the number 1.
- Find examples of “one” in everyday life.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Say, “This is 1.”
- Give you one object.
- Point to the group with one object.
- Trace or make a number 1.
Introduction: The Number 1 Adventure
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up one toy and say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going on a number 1 adventure!”
Ask:
- “How many toys do I have?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one thing near you?”
Tell the child:
“Today we will learn to find, count, and make the number 1.”
Body of the Lesson
1. I Do: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show the large number 1. Trace it slowly with your finger and say:
“This is the number 1. It looks like a straight line. One means one thing.”
Place one block beside the number 1. Count slowly:
“One block. There is one block.”
Show a group of two or three objects. Say:
“This is more than one. Let’s find the group with just one.”
Quick check: Show one object and then several objects. Ask, “Which group has one?”
2. We Do: Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Place several groups of objects in front of the child. Include groups with one, two, and three objects.
Give these directions one at a time:
- “Point to one block.”
- “Touch one button.”
- “Give me one toy.”
- “Put one animal in the basket.”
After each response, count together:
“One. You gave me one!”
Think-and-talk: Ask, “What is one thing you like to play with?” Accept answers such as “one car,” “one doll,” or “one ball.”
3. Movement Game: One-Step Number Dance
Time: 5 minutes
Play music or clap a steady beat. Give the child simple directions:
- “Take one step.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Jump one time.”
- “Spin one time.”
Pause after each action and ask, “How many did you do?” Help the child answer, “One.”
4. We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 8 minutes
First, model how to make the number 1:
“Start at the top. Make one straight line down. This is 1.”
Invite the child to:
- Trace the paper number 1 with a finger.
- Trace it with a crayon or marker.
- Make a number 1 in play dough.
- Decorate one large number 1 with stickers or dots.
Use encouraging language:
“You made a straight line. That looks like 1!”
5. You Do: Number 1 Treasure Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to look around the home for things that come in groups of one.
Say:
“Find one sock. Find one spoon. Find one book. Find one toy.”
The child may choose three or four items. Each time, ask:
- “What did you find?”
- “How many did you find?”
Help the child place each item beside the number 1 and say, “One book,” “One spoon,” or “One toy.”
6. Creative Choice Activity
Time: 5–10 minutes
Let the child choose one activity:
- One-Item Drawing: Draw one sun, one flower, or one favorite toy.
- Number 1 Collage: Cover a large number 1 with one type of decoration, such as dots or small paper pieces.
- Play-Dough 1: Roll one long piece of dough and shape it like the number 1.
- One-Object Story: Tell a short story about one toy. For example, “One little bear went for a walk.”
Formative Assessment
Observe the child during the lesson and check whether the child can:
- Point to or name the number 1.
- Give one object when asked.
- Tell the difference between one object and more than one object.
- Count one object without adding extra numbers.
- Attempt to trace or form the number 1.
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects nearby and say:
- “Show me one block.”
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Make one clap.”
- “Draw one line.”
- “Tell me something you have one of.”
Celebrate the child’s effort. A successful response may be spoken, pointed to, acted out, or demonstrated with objects.
Differentiation and Support
- Use only two choices at a time, such as one block and three blocks.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing if needed.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Allow the child to answer by pointing, speaking, moving, or choosing an object.
Extension for Ready Learners
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or sign.
- Compare one object with zero objects: “What does an empty basket have? What does this basket have?”
- Invite the child to make a set of one object and draw it.
- Practice counting one through five while emphasizing the first object: “One, two, three, four, five.”
Conclusion and Recap
Time: 3 minutes
Hold up the number 1 and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many is one?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Recap together:
“Today we learned about the number 1. One means just one. We found one object, moved one time, and practiced making 1.”
End with a short celebration:
“You did a number 1 job!”
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, point out natural examples of one: one nose, one sun, one plate, or one favorite stuffed animal. Ask, “How many?” and invite the child to answer, “One.”