One Take Away One: Discovering Zero

Materials Needed

• 2 small toys, blocks, or stuffed animals
• One small bowl or basket
• Paper and crayons
• Number cards showing 0 and 1, or homemade cards
• Optional: a short counting song

Learning Objectives

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

• Show one object and take it away.
• Say that when one object is taken away from one object, none are left.
• Connect the action to the number sentence: 1 - 1 = 0.
• Use the words take away, left, and zero.

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Start with one object.
• Take the object away.
• Show or say that zero objects are left.
• Match the activity to 1 - 1 = 0.

Introduction: The Empty Basket

Time: 5 minutes

Place one toy in the basket. Say:

“This basket has one toy. What number tells us how many toys are here?”

Let the child answer or show the number 1. Then take the toy out and say:

“I took one toy away. Look! The basket is empty. Empty means zero.”

Invite the child to repeat:

“One take away one leaves zero.”

Explain the goal in simple words:

“Today we will play a take-away game. We will find out what happens when we take one away from one.”

Body: Learn and Practice

I Do: Watch Me Take One Away

Time: 5 minutes

1. Place one block in front of the child.
2. Point to it and say, “I have one block.”
3. Move the block away while saying, “I take one block away.”
4. Point to the empty space and say, “Now I have zero blocks.”
5. Show the number sentence: 1 - 1 = 0.

Use simple gestures: hold up one finger for 1, move it away for take away, and show empty hands for 0.

Quick Check

Ask:

• “How many blocks did we start with?”
• “How many blocks did we take away?”
• “How many blocks are left?”

We Do: Toy Take-Away Game

Time: 8 minutes

Work together with the child.

1. Give the child one toy.
2. Ask, “How many toys do you have?”
3. Say, “Now give me one toy. You are taking one away.”
4. Ask, “How many toys are left?”
5. Help the child place the number cards in order: 1 - 1 = 0.

Repeat with different objects, such as one crayon, one block, or one small snack. Use the same language each time:

“We had one. We took one away. Zero are left.”

Think-Pair-Share Option

If another child or adult is available, take turns:

• One person holds one object.
• The other person asks them to take it away.
• Both people say how many are left.

For one child, the adult can be the partner.

You Do: “Feed the Hungry Toy”

Time: 8 minutes

Choose a stuffed animal or toy. Tell the child:

“The toy has one pretend cracker. Let’s see what happens when the toy eats it.”

1. Place one pretend cracker or block beside the toy.
2. Ask the child to count it.
3. Have the child move it to the toy’s mouth or into a bowl.
4. Ask, “How many crackers are left?”
5. Have the child show zero fingers or hold up the 0 card.

Let the child choose the object and toy for each round. Repeat two or three times using safe items.

Creative Activity: Draw One, Then Take It Away

Time: 7 minutes

1. Ask the child to draw one balloon, flower, or star.
2. Say, “Now one goes away.”
3. Let the child cross out or cover the picture.
4. Ask, “How many are left?”
5. Help the child draw or trace the number 0.

Say the number sentence together: 1 - 1 = 0.

Formative Assessment

Check understanding during the activities by asking the child to:

• Show one object.
• Take one object away.
• Point to the empty space.
• Choose the 0 card when nothing is left.
• Complete the sentence: “One take away one leaves ___.”

Accept spoken answers, gestures, pointing, or demonstrations.

Summative Assessment: Show Me 1 - 1 = 0

Time: 5 minutes

Give the child one object and ask:

“Can you show me one take away one?”

Look for the child to:

1. Begin with one object.
2. Remove the object.
3. Show or say that zero are left.

Finish by asking the child to place the number cards in the correct order: 1 - 1 = 0.

Differentiation and Support

For Extra Support

• Use only one large, easy-to-hold object.
• Demonstrate the action slowly several times.
• Use empty hands to represent zero.
• Give choices: “Are there zero or one blocks left?”
• Use the phrase “none left” before introducing the word “zero.”

For More Challenge

• Ask the child to draw the number sentence independently.
• Invite the child to make up a take-away story.
• Ask, “Can you find something in the room that has one, then none?”
• Compare: “What is different between 1 object and 0 objects?”

Real-World Connection

Explain that people use take-away when they eat the last snack, put away the last toy, or give away the last crayon. When the last one is gone, there are zero left.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Time: 3 minutes

Review the lesson with the child:

• “We started with how many?” One.
• “We took away how many?” One.
• “How many were left?” Zero.

Say together:

“One take away one equals zero. 1 - 1 = 0.”

Invite the child to make an empty-hands gesture and celebrate their learning with a short song, clap, or high five.