All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Number cards or a paper with the number 1
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or snacks
- Paper and crayons
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: a favorite song or music
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.
- Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
- Find one object in a group of objects.
Success Criteria
“I can” statements:
- I can point to the number 1.
- I can show one object.
- I can count one.
- I can make a number 1.
Introduction: One Big Surprise
Time: 5 minutes
Place one special object in front of the child, such as one toy animal or one snack.
Say:
“Look! I found one teddy bear. One means just one. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Sing or chant together:
“One, one, clap one time!”
Clap once. Repeat with other actions:
- Jump one time.
- Stomp one time.
- Touch your nose one time.
- Give one high-five.
Quick check: Ask, “How many claps did we make?” Help the child answer, “One!”
Body: I Do
1. Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Show a large number 1. Trace it slowly with your finger.
Say:
“This is the number 1. It has one straight line. Number 1 tells us there is one.”
Draw the number 1 while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Have the child trace the number 1 in the air with one finger.
2. Count One Object
Place several objects on the table. Pick up only one object.
Say:
“I will take one block. One.”
Point to the block as you say the number. Place the number 1 next to it.
Repeat with different objects, such as one toy, one crayon, and one button.
Quick check: Show one object and ask, “How many?” Then show a small group and ask, “Can you find just one?”
Body: We Do
3. One-Object Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to find one item in the room. Give clear directions:
“Find one soft thing.”
“Find one blue thing.”
“Find one toy.”
Each time the child returns, count the object together:
“One!”
Place the object beside the number 1 card.
Choice: The child may choose what to find: one toy, one book, one shoe, or one stuffed animal.
4. Number 1 Movement Game
Time: 5 minutes
Call out an action and have the child do it one time:
- “Hop one time!”
- “Spin one time!”
- “Tap the table one time!”
- “Roar one time like a lion!”
After each action, ask, “How many times?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
Body: You Do
5. Make the Number 1
Time: 8 minutes
Let the child choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace a large number 1 with a crayon.
- Form a number 1 with play dough.
- Build a number 1 with blocks.
- Draw the number 1 in the air.
- Paint or decorate a large number 1.
Use simple guidance:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. You made 1!”
Do not worry if the number is not perfect. Praise effort and participation.
6. One on My Picture
Time: 8 minutes
Ask the child to draw a picture with exactly one main item. Offer choices:
- One sun
- One flower
- One balloon
- One animal
- One favorite toy
When the picture is finished, ask:
- “What did you draw?”
- “How many did you draw?”
- “Can you show me the number 1?”
Formative Assessment: Show Me One
Use small groups of objects. Ask the child to show one object each time.
- Place one block on the table. Ask, “How many blocks?”
- Place three blocks on the table. Ask, “Can you give me one block?”
- Show number cards or written numbers. Ask, “Which one is 1?”
- Ask the child to make one mark on paper.
Give specific feedback:
“You chose one block. You counted carefully!”
Real-World Connection
During the day, look for examples of one:
- One nose
- One moon in a drawing
- One door
- One spoon at snack time
- One book to read
Say:
“We use the number 1 when we talk about one thing.”
Differentiation and Support
For Extra Support
- Use only one object and the number 1 at first.
- Guide the child’s finger while tracing.
- Repeat the same words: “One means just one.”
- Allow pointing, showing, or moving an object instead of giving a spoken answer.
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or on a calendar.
- Invite the child to draw one object and write 1 beside it.
- Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
- Have the child sort groups with one object and groups with more than one object.
Conclusion: Number 1 Celebration
Time: 5 minutes
Review the lesson with the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one object?”
- “Can you trace number 1 in the air?”
Finish with this chant:
“One is fun! One is one! We found one, and now we’re done!”
Invite the child to choose one final celebration: one clap, one jump, or one high-five.
Summative Assessment
The child demonstrates learning by completing at least three of the following:
- Points to the number 1 when shown with other numbers.
- Counts one object correctly.
- Gives one object when asked.
- Shows one finger.
- Traces or creates a recognizable number 1.
Optional Follow-Up Activity
Make a “Number 1 Treasure Page.” The child glues or draws one favorite object on a piece of paper and decorates the page with the number 1. Display it somewhere special and revisit it during the week.