All About 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 cereal pieces
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: one favorite toy or stuffed animal

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the numeral 1.
• Say the number word one.
• Count one object accurately.
• Connect the numeral 1 with a group of one object.
• Practice drawing or tracing the number 1.

Success Criteria

I can:

• Point to the number 1.
• Show one object.
• Say, “One!”
• Try to write or trace 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.”

Invite the child to find one special object nearby. Ask:

• “What is your one special object?”
• “Can you hold up one finger?”
• “Can you say, ‘One’?”

Child-friendly objective: “Today we will learn about the number 1. We will find one thing, count one thing, and make the number 1.”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

Show the numeral 1 on a card or write it clearly on paper.

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

Point to the number as you say it: “One.”

Show one block and place it beside the numeral 1.

Say: “The number 1 matches one block.”

Model tracing the number:

1. “Start at the top.”
2. “Go down.”
3. “Now we made a 1!”

Quick check: Ask, “Which card shows 1?” If using several cards, mix the number 1 with other numerals.

We Do: Find One

Time: 8 minutes

Place several small groups of objects on the table. Make groups with one, two, and three objects.

Say: “Let’s find the group with one thing.”

Work together:

1. Look at a group.
2. Touch each object while counting.
3. Stop when there is only one object.
4. Place the number 1 beside that group.

Repeat with different objects.

Ask:

• “How many blocks are here?”
• “Can you give me one button?”
• “Can you put one toy animal in the box?”

Movement Game: One-Step Number Hunt

Time: 5 minutes

Place the number 1 somewhere nearby.

Give simple directions:

• “Take one step to the number 1.”
• “Give the number 1 one clap.”
• “Hop one time.”
• “Touch one object that is blue.”

Celebrate each try with: “You found one!” or “You did one hop!”

You Do: Make a Number 1 Picture

Time: 10 minutes

Invite the child to choose one picture idea:

• One sun
• One balloon
• One flower
• One animal
• One favorite toy

Ask the child to draw one object. Help the child write or trace the number 1 beside the picture.

As the child works, ask:

• “What is your one thing?”
• “Can you point to your number 1?”
• “Can you count your picture? One!”

Allow the child to use crayons, stickers, play dough, or blocks instead of drawing if preferred.

Real-World Connection: One at Home

Time: 5 minutes

Go on a short “one hunt” around the home. Find examples such as:

• One door
• One spoon
• One pillow
• One shoe
• One book

Let the child choose one item to bring back. Say together: “I found one ___.”

Formative Assessment

During the lesson, check whether the child can:

• Point to the numeral 1 when shown different numbers.
• Give one object when asked.
• Count one object without adding extra objects.
• Say the word “one.”
• Attempt to trace or form the number 1.

Give specific feedback:

• “You gave me exactly one block.”
• “You pointed to the number 1.”
• “You started your 1 at the top.”

Summative Assessment: Show Me One

Ask the child to complete these tasks independently or with minimal help:

1. Point to the number 1.
2. Show one finger.
3. Place one object beside the numeral 1.
4. Say the word “one.”
5. Trace or draw the number 1.

Mastery: The child completes at least four of the five tasks.

Differentiation

For Extra Support

• Use only the number 1 and one other numeral at first.
• Use large, easy-to-hold objects.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing, if needed.
• Repeat short phrases: “One means one thing.”
• Let the child answer by pointing, touching, or showing a finger.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find five different examples of one object.
• Invite the child to make the number 1 with play dough or blocks.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?” and introduce the idea of two.
• Have the child draw one object and write the word one with help.

Conclusion and Recap

Time: 3 minutes

Hold up the numeral 1 and ask the child to repeat:

• “This is the number 1.”
• “One means just one.”
• “I can show one thing.”

Finish with a simple chant:

“One little finger, one little toe, one is the number that we know!”

Ask: “What is one thing you learned today?”

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Read a counting book and look for pages showing one object.
• Place one sticker on each of several pieces of paper.
• Sing a song about one, such as “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.”
• At snack time, count out one cracker, one berry, or one piece of fruit.