Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon, pencil, or washable marker
- Number cards or paper with the number 1 written on it
- Small objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or socks
- Paper and stickers
- A small basket or bowl
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Say the number 1.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or attempt to write the number 1.
- Find examples of “one” in everyday life.
Success Criteria
“I can…”
- Point to the number 1.
- Count one object.
- Make a group with one object.
- Trace or draw a number 1.
Introduction: Hook and Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
Place one favorite toy in front of the child.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count slowly together:
“One!”
Ask:
- “How many toys do you see?”
- “Can you find one finger?”
- “Can you find one toe?”
Tell the child: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing.”
Body: Learn and Practice
Part 1: I Do—Teacher or Adult Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
Show the child a large number card with the number 1.
Say: “This is the number 1. It looks like a straight line. This number says ‘one.’”
Trace the number with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Place one block beside the number card.
Say: “The number 1 tells us there is one block.”
Place a second block beside it and say: “Now there are two blocks. That is not one anymore.” Remove the second block and say: “Now we have one block again.”
Quick check: Ask, “Show me the group with one object.” Place one object in one group and three objects in another group. Let the child point to the group with one.
Part 2: We Do—Find One
Time: 10 minutes
Place several safe objects in a basket.
Say: “Let’s take out one object. We will take out only one.”
Help the child remove one object and place it on the table.
Count it together: “One.”
Repeat with different objects. Each time, ask the child to take out only one.
Try these playful challenges:
- “Can you give me one block?”
- “Can you find one toy animal?”
- “Can you put one sock in the basket?”
- “Can you touch one button?”
Think-pair-share option: If another child or adult is present, take turns choosing one object. The child says, “I chose one ___.” During homeschool, the child can tell a stuffed animal or toy what was chosen.
Formative check: Show groups of one, two, and three objects. Ask, “Which group has one?” Praise careful counting and gently help if needed.
Part 3: We Do—Number 1 Movement Game
Time: 5 minutes
Play music or clap a steady beat.
Give the child simple directions:
- “Take one jump.”
- “Clap one time.”
- “Spin one time.”
- “Touch one knee.”
- “Give one big wave.”
Count each action together. Keep the activity playful and allow the child to invent one-action commands for the adult.
Part 4: You Do—Number 1 Art
Time: 10 minutes
Write a large number 1 on a piece of paper.
Say: “Now you will make your own number 1.”
- Invite the child to trace the number 1 with a finger.
- Let the child trace it with a crayon or marker.
- Ask the child to try writing a number 1 independently.
- Give the child one sticker to place near the number 1.
Say: “You used one sticker. You made one number 1.”
Allow the child to decorate the page. The goal is participation and recognition, not perfect handwriting.
Part 5: Real-World Number 1 Hunt
Time: 5–10 minutes
Walk around the home and look for things that come in groups of one.
Possible examples include:
- One front door
- One kitchen table
- One nose
- One moon in a picture or book
- One favorite cup
- One shoe chosen for a pretend game
Ask: “Can you find one?” Let the child choose some examples. Celebrate each discovery by saying, “You found one!”
Conclusion: Review and Recap
Time: 5 minutes
Show the number 1 card again.
Ask the child to:
- Point to the number 1.
- Hold up one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Say the word “one.”
- Trace the number 1 in the air.
Say: “Today we learned that 1 means one. We found one object, moved one time, and made the number 1.”
Finish with a simple chant:
“One little finger, point up high.
One little number, say hello—1!”
Assessment
Formative Assessment During the Lesson
- Observe whether the child can show one finger.
- Ask the child to choose one object from a group.
- Ask the child to identify the number 1 among other numbers.
- Listen for the child saying “one” while counting.
End-of-Lesson Demonstration
Place three small groups of objects on the table: one object, two objects, and three objects. Ask the child to:
- Point to the group with one object.
- Give you one object.
- Point to the number 1.
- Try to write or trace the number 1.
Mastery guideline: The child successfully identifies and shows one object in most attempts and recognizes the number 1 with little or no help.
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use large, colorful objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Give only two choices: one object or a group with several objects.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1.
- Repeat the words “one object” and “number 1” often.
- Use real objects before using written numbers.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or package.
- Invite the child to draw one item, such as one sun or one flower.
- Ask, “What would happen if we added one more?”
- Have the child make a “one” page using one drawing, one sticker, and one written number.
Flexible Learning Options
- Hands-on: Use blocks, toys, snacks, or household objects.
- Digital: Point to the number 1 on a screen or use a simple digital drawing tool.
- Outdoor: Find one leaf, one rock, or one flower.
- Story-based: Read a book with one main character or one featured object and count the examples of one.
Reflection for the Child
Ask:
- “What did we learn today?”
- “Can you show me one?”
- “What was your favorite one thing?”
End with specific encouragement: “You found one object, said one, and practiced writing the number 1. Great learning!”