One for Each: A Fun Counting Adventure

Materials Needed

• 10 small toys, blocks, buttons, or plastic cups
• Paper plates or small pieces of paper
• Number cards labeled 1–5
• Crayons or washable markers
• Paper
• A small basket or bowl
• Optional: stuffed animals or toy figures

Learning Objectives

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

• Touch and count objects one at a time.
• Give one object to each person, toy, or space.
• Match small groups of objects to numbers 1–5.
• Explain that the last number counted tells how many objects there are.

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Count a group of up to five objects without skipping or counting an object twice.
• Place one object in each space or give one object to each toy.
• Choose the correct number card for a group of 1–5 objects.

Introduction: The Snack Delivery Game

Hook: “Our toy friends are hungry! Can you give each friend one snack?”

Place three stuffed animals or toys in front of the child. Put several blocks or pretend snacks in a basket.

Say:

“Today we will learn how to give one for each. We will touch one object, say one number, and give one snack to one friend.”

Show the child the lesson goal:

“We will count carefully and make sure everyone gets one.”

Body: Learn and Practice

1. I Do: Watch Me Count

Place five blocks in a row. Slowly touch each block as you count:

“One, two, three, four, five. I touched each block one time. Five is how many blocks I have.”

Move each counted block into a separate pile or basket so the child can see which objects have already been counted.

Ask:

• “How many blocks did I count?”
• “Did I touch each block one time?”

Quick check: Place three objects in front of the child and ask, “Can you show me how to count them carefully?”

2. We Do: One Snack for Each Toy

Place three toys in a row and give the child three blocks or pretend snacks.

Say:

“Let’s give one snack to each toy. Touch one toy, then give that toy one snack.”

Guide the child:

1. Touch the first toy and say, “One.” Give it one snack.
2. Touch the second toy and say, “Two.” Give it one snack.
3. Touch the third toy and say, “Three.” Give it one snack.

Ask:

• “Does each toy have one snack?”
• “Do we have any snacks left?”
• “How many toys got snacks?”

Repeat with two, four, and five toys or objects as appropriate.

3. We Do: Fill the Plates

Place three paper plates on the table. Put several small objects nearby.

Say:

“Each plate needs one block. Let’s put one block on each plate.”

Have the child place one object on each plate. Count the plates together as the child works.

Change the game:

• “Can you put one button on each plate?”
• “Can you put one toy on each paper?”
• “What happens if we have more blocks than plates?”

Think-pair-share option: The child can tell a stuffed animal, sibling, or adult how to put “one for each.”

4. You Do: Number Card Match

Place number cards 1–5 on the floor or table. Give the child groups of objects.

Instructions:

1. Give the child one group of objects, such as two blocks.
2. Ask the child to touch and count each object.
3. Ask the child to place the group beside the matching number card.
4. Repeat with groups of 1–5 objects.

Use simple language:

“You counted three blocks. Find the card that says 3.”

Provide encouragement:

“You touched each block once. That helped you count carefully!”

5. Choice Activity: Pick a Counting Adventure

Let the child choose one activity:

• Picnic: Give one pretend food item to each stuffed animal.
• Parking Lot: Put one toy car in each drawn parking space.
• Garden: Place one paper flower in each paper “garden.”
• Building: Put one block on each paper plate to build towers.

Ask the child to explain:

“I gave one to each. Everyone has one.”

Formative Assessment: Check Along the Way

Watch and listen for whether the child:

• Touches each object while counting.
• Uses one number word for each object.
• Knows when all objects have been counted.
• Gives one item to each toy, plate, or space.

If the child skips an object, gently say:

“Let’s slow down. Touch this one, then say the next number.”

Summative Assessment: The One-for-Each Challenge

Set out four toys and four objects.

Ask the child to:

1. Give one object to each toy.
2. Count the objects after sharing.
3. Choose the number card that shows how many objects were used.

Success goal: The child gives exactly one object to each toy and identifies the number 4 with help or independently.

Differentiation and Support

For a Child Who Needs More Support

• Begin with only two objects and two toys.
• Use large objects that are easy to touch and move.
• Place objects in a straight line.
• Count slowly together.
• Use a “counted” basket so the child can move each object after counting.

For a Child Ready for More Challenge

• Use groups of 6–10 objects.
• Ask, “Do we have enough for everyone?”
• Ask the child to find out how many more objects are needed.
• Let the child create a sharing problem for the adult to solve.
• Invite the child to draw one object in each of five boxes.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Gather the objects together and ask:

• “What did we learn today?”
• “How many objects do we give to each toy?”
• “How do we count carefully?”

Repeat the key idea:

“We give one for each. We touch each object one time. The last number tells how many.”

End with a short movement chant:

“Touch one, say one!
Touch two, say two!
One for each—
That is what we do!”

Optional Follow-Up

During the day, invite the child to practice one-to-one counting while setting the table, putting away toys, matching socks, or giving one crayon to each person.