Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One large piece of paper or a small whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Small objects, such as blocks, toy animals, or buttons
- Number cards, including a large card showing 1
- Play dough or clay
- Paper and stickers
- A favorite toy or stuffed animal
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object correctly.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
- Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.
Success Criteria
I can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give one object.
- Say, “One!” when I see one thing.
- Make a number 1 with my finger, play dough, or crayon.
Introduction: Meet Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Hold up one favorite toy and say:
“Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Today we are going to play with the number 1!”
Show the numeral 1 and say:
“This is the number 1. Can you say 1?”
Invite the child to look around and find one thing. For example:
- One nose
- One chair
- One book
- One stuffed animal
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Show and Explain
Time: 5 minutes
Place one block on the table. Touch it and say:
“One block. I counted one block.”
Show the number card and say:
“The number 1 tells us there is one thing.”
Model how to draw the numeral 1:
- Start at the top.
- Make a straight line down.
- Add a little line at the bottom if desired.
Say:
“Down we go to make a 1!”
We Do: Count One Together
Time: 8 minutes
Place several objects in front of the child. Give clear directions:
- “Pick up one block.”
- “Put one toy in the basket.”
- “Give me one button.”
- “Show me one finger.”
Count slowly together each time:
“One.”
Use a think-pair-share style conversation adapted for homeschool:
- Think: “Look at the objects. Which group has one?”
- Share: “Tell or point to your answer.”
- Check: Count the object together.
Quick Check
Show two groups: one group with one object and another group with two or three objects. Ask:
“Which group has one?”
Celebrate effort with specific feedback:
“You looked carefully and found the group with one block!”
Movement Game: Number 1 Actions
Time: 5 minutes
Explain:
“When I say 1, do one action.”
Give playful directions:
- Take one big jump.
- Clap one time.
- Spin one time.
- Touch one toe.
- Give one high five.
After each action, ask:
“How many did we do?”
We Do: Make Number 1
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to choose one way to make the number 1:
- Trace a large 1 with a crayon.
- Build a 1 using play dough.
- Make a 1 with one finger in the air.
- Make a 1 using one long block or craft stick.
Practice together while saying:
“Start at the top and go down. This is 1!”
You Do: One-Object Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Give the child a basket or small bag. Ask the child to find five different things, one at a time.
For each item, say:
“Find one thing that is soft.”
“Find one thing that is red.”
“Find one thing that is small.”
“Find one toy.”
“Find one book.”
After each search, count the item together and place it in the basket. Remind the child:
“We found one!”
Creative Activity: One Big Number 1
Time: 10 minutes
Draw a large numeral 1 on paper. Invite the child to decorate it with stickers, dots, or small pieces of paper.
Use one sticker at a time and ask:
“How many stickers are you putting on now?”
The child may choose to create:
- A number 1 picture
- One sun
- One flower
- One favorite animal
- One family member or friend
Encourage the child to explain the picture using the sentence frame:
“I made one ______.”
Assessment
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, observe whether the child can:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Give one object when asked.
- Count one object without adding another.
- Show one finger.
- Follow the movement directions.
Summative Assessment: Show Me One
Place three groups of objects in front of the child:
- One group with one object
- One group with two objects
- One group with three objects
Ask the child to:
- Point to the group with one object.
- Give you one object.
- Point to the number 1.
- Make a 1 using a finger, crayon, or play dough.
Give positive, specific feedback:
“You found one object, counted it, and showed the number 1!”
Differentiation and Support
For Extra Support
- Use only one object and the numeral 1 at first.
- Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Repeat the words, “One means just one.”
- Allow pointing, touching, or showing one finger instead of speaking.
For More Practice
- Find one object in each room.
- Match several numeral 1 cards to groups with one object.
- Sort objects into “one” and “not one” groups.
- Look for the number 1 in books, signs, calendars, or labels.
For an Extension
- Ask the child to make a page with one drawing, one sticker, and one written 1.
- Compare one object with a group of more than one object.
- Ask, “What is one thing you like?” and draw or tell about it.
Conclusion and Recap
Time: 5 minutes
Review the lesson with the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you find one toy?”
- “What does the number 1 mean?”
Say together:
“The number 1 means one. One is just one!”
End with a simple celebration:
“Give yourself one big clap for learning about number 1!”
Optional Follow-Up
Throughout the day, invite the child to notice things that come in ones. Ask, “Can you find one?” Examples include one spoon, one shoe, one book, or one leaf.