All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon, marker, or pencil
- Small objects to count, such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Paper with the number 1 written several times
- Play dough or clay
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Optional: music for a counting song
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 and make the number 1.
- Show one object when asked.
Success Criteria
The child is successful when they can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give or show one item.
- Count one object by saying, “One.”
- Make a number 1 with a finger, crayon, or play dough.
Introduction: One Special Thing
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up one favorite toy or stuffed animal.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going to learn about the number 1.”
Invite the child to look around the room and find something they see only one of.
Ask:
- “Can you find one chair?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “How many noses do you have?”
Learning message: “Today we will learn to see, say, count, and make the number 1.”
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
1. See the Number 1
Write a large number 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
Say: “This is the number 1. It looks like a straight line.”
Trace the number slowly with your finger.
2. Count One Object
Place one block on the table.
Say: “I see one block. I touch it once and say one.”
Touch the block while saying, “One.”
3. Make the Number 1
Model writing the number 1.
Say: “Start at the top. Make a straight line down. This makes 1.”
We Do: Practice Together
Time: 10 minutes
Activity 1: Show Me One
Place several objects in front of the child.
Give simple directions:
- “Give me one block.”
- “Put one button in the cup.”
- “Hold up one finger.”
- “Give your stuffed animal one hug.”
Celebrate each attempt by saying, “You showed one!”
Activity 2: Number 1 Hunt
Place or point to several numbers around the room. Include a few number 1s and other numbers.
Ask the child to find and point to every number 1.
Say: “Touch the number 1. Can you find another 1?”
Activity 3: Finger Trace
Draw a large number 1 in the air or on a table.
Invite the child to trace it with a finger.
Say together: “Down we go to make 1!”
You Do: Child Practices Independently
Time: 10 minutes
Choice A: Play Dough Number 1
Invite the child to roll play dough into a long piece and shape it into the number 1.
Choice B: Number 1 Art
Have the child trace or copy the number 1 several times. The child may decorate each number with dots, stickers, or small drawings.
Choice C: One-Object Picture
Ask the child to draw one thing, such as one sun, one apple, or one flower. Help them write or trace the number 1 beside the picture.
Encourage the child to explain: “I made one _____.”
Movement Game: One-Step Freeze
Time: 5 minutes
Play music or clap a rhythm. When the music stops, give a direction involving one:
- “Take one step.”
- “Do one jump.”
- “Spin one time.”
- “Clap one time.”
Ask, “How many did you do?” Encourage the child to answer, “One!”
Formative Assessment: Quick Checks
Check understanding throughout the lesson by asking:
- “Which number is 1?”
- “Can you give me one object?”
- “How many toys are you holding?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you make 1 in the air?”
Real-World Connection
During the day, look for examples of one:
- One spoon at snack time
- One shoe placed by the door
- One book chosen for reading
- One toy put away
Say: “We see the number 1 in many places!”
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 5 minutes
Show the number 1 again.
Ask the child:
- “What number is this?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one object?”
- “Can you make the number 1?”
Recap together: “Today we learned that 1 means one. We found one object, counted one object, and made the number 1.”
Summative Assessment
Invite the child to complete this short challenge:
- Point to the number 1 from a group of numbers.
- Choose one object from a group.
- Say, “One.”
- Trace or make the number 1.
Give specific feedback, such as: “You found the number 1 and counted one block. You know that one means just one!”
Differentiation and Adaptations
For Extra Support
- Use only the number 1 at first.
- Give the child one object at a time.
- Use hand-over-hand guidance for tracing if needed.
- Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
For More Challenge
- Ask the child to find groups with one object.
- Invite the child to compare one object with a group of two or three.
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book, calendar, or toy.
- Have the child make a simple book with one item on each page.
Flexible Learning Options
- At home: Use toys, kitchen items, or household objects.
- Outdoors: Find one leaf, one rock, or one flower.
- Digital: Use a drawing app to trace the number 1.
- For a group: Let children take turns showing one finger or choosing one object.