Fun with the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• One small toy or object, such as a block, teddy bear, or spoon
• Several groups of safe household objects, such as buttons, socks, or blocks
• Paper and stickers, or small pieces of paper
• Optional: number cards from 0 to 3

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the number 1.
• Say the number 1.
• Count one object.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the number 1.

Success Looks Like

• “I can find the number 1.”
• “I can show one thing.”
• “I can count one.”
• “I can make a number 1.”

Introduction: Meet Number 1

Hook: Hold up one toy and ask, “How many toys do I have?” Let the child answer or guess.

Say: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing. One teddy bear. One hand. One nose!”

Quick Movement Warm-Up

Invite the child to do each action one time:

• Clap one time.
• Jump one time.
• Touch one toe.
• Give one high-five.

After each action, say together: “One!”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Show and Explain

1. Place one object on the table.
2. Point to it and slowly say, “One.”
3. Show the number card or write the number 1.
4. Say: “This is the number 1. It tells us there is one thing.”

Use simple examples:

• “I have one nose.”
• “I have one mouth.”
• “Here is one block.”

Quick check: Ask, “Can you point to the one block?” Praise the child for looking, pointing, or answering.

We Do: Find One

Place several groups of objects on the table. Some groups should have one object, and others should have two or three.

Say: “Let’s find the group with one thing.” Work together to look at each group.

Ask:

• “Which group has one?”
• “Can you touch one object?”
• “Can you give me one block?”

Think, Talk, and Move

Say an instruction and let the child act it out:

• “Bring me one sock.”
• “Pick up one crayon.”
• “Put one sticker on the paper.”
• “Find one round object.”

After each activity, ask, “How many did you bring?” Help the child answer, “One.”

We Do: Make the Number 1

Draw a large number 1 in the air with your finger. Say:

“Start at the top. Go down. Number 1!”

Invite the child to:

• Trace the number 1 with a finger.
• Trace the number 1 on paper.
• Make a number 1 using a finger, crayon, or small pieces of paper.

You Do: Number 1 Treasure Hunt

Invite the child to find one item in the home. The child may choose the item.

Examples include one:

• Shoe
• Spoon
• Book
• Toy
• Pillow

When the child returns, ask:

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

Creative Choice Activity

Let the child choose one activity:

• One Sticker: Put one sticker on a piece of paper and draw a picture around it.
• One-Object Picture: Draw one sun, one flower, or one balloon.
• Number 1 Art: Decorate a large number 1 with crayons or paper pieces.
• One-Beat Song: Make up a short song and clap once at the end of each line.

Real-World Connection

Say: “We use number 1 every day. We may put on one hat, hold one spoon, or choose one book to read.”

Invite the child to name one thing they use or see each day.

Formative Assessment

During the lesson, check understanding by asking the child to:

• Point to the number 1.
• Give you one object.
• Separate one object from a group.
• Count one object aloud.
• Trace or draw the number 1.

Summative Assessment: Show Me One

Place three groups of objects in front of the child: one group with one object, one group with two objects, and one group with three objects.

Ask the child to:

1. Find the group with one object.
2. Give you one object.
3. Point to the number 1.
4. Make the number 1 in the air or on paper.

Success benchmark: The child completes at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.

Differentiation and Support

• For extra support: Use only one object at a time. Hold the child’s hand gently while counting and tracing if needed.
• Use sensory learning: Make the number 1 with play dough, finger paint, or a finger traced in rice.
• Use movement: Have the child take one step to a number 1 placed on the floor.
• For an extra challenge: Ask the child to find one object in a room, draw one object, and write or trace the number 1 beside it.
• For digital learning: Show a large number 1 on a screen and ask the child to find one item nearby.

Conclusion and Recap

Hold up the number 1 and say:

“Today we learned about number 1. Number 1 means one thing. We can find one, count one, and make the number 1.”

Ask the child:

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one toy?”

Finish by celebrating: “You found one, counted one, and made number 1!”

Optional Follow-Up

Throughout the day, look for groups of one. When you see one item, say together, “One!”