Fun with the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Paper and child-safe scissors
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Say that “1” means one thing.
- Count one object correctly.
- Trace or make the shape of the numeral 1.
- Find examples of one item in everyday life.
Success Criteria
Success looks like this:
- “I can point to the number 1.”
- “I can give you one object.”
- “I can count one object.”
- “I can try to write or trace 1.”
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!”
Ask:
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “How many noses do you have?”
- “Can you find one toy?”
Show the numeral 1 on paper. Say:
“This is the number 1. It tells us there is one thing.”
Body: Learn and Practice
1. I Do: Watch Me Count One
Time: 5 minutes
Place several objects in front of the child. Slowly choose one object and move it to a clear space.
Say:
“I will take one block. One. I stopped after one.”
Show the numeral 1 beside the single object. Repeat with different objects, such as one button, one animal, or one crayon.
Quick check: Place one object in front of the child and ask, “How many?” Help the child answer, “One.”
2. We Do: One or Many?
Time: 7 minutes
Make two groups of objects: one group with one object and another group with several objects.
Point to each group and ask:
- “Which group has one?”
- “Which group has many?”
Invite the child to make a group with exactly one object. Celebrate the answer:
“You made one group! You counted carefully.”
Repeat using different objects. Let the child choose which objects to use.
3. Movement Game: Number 1 Says
Time: 5 minutes
Explain:
“When I say ‘Number 1 says,’ do one action.”
Give playful directions:
- “Number 1 says, clap one time!”
- “Number 1 says, jump one time!”
- “Number 1 says, touch one toe!”
- “Number 1 says, spin one time!”
Count each action aloud together: “One!”
4. We Do: Make the Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Draw a large numeral 1. Model the motion while saying:
“Start at the top. Go down. That makes 1.”
Invite the child to:
- Trace the numeral 1 with a finger.
- Trace it with a crayon or marker.
- Make a large 1 in the air.
- Make a 1 with a finger, craft stick, or piece of yarn.
Do not worry about perfect writing. Praise effort and direction:
“You started at the top and went down. You are practicing the number 1!”
5. You Do: Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to explore the room and find things that come in ones.
Give clear directions:
- Find one soft thing.
- Find one blue thing.
- Find one toy.
- Find one book.
Each time, ask, “How many did you find?” Encourage the child to answer, “One.”
Real-world connection: Talk about one sun, one moon in the sky at a time, one home, or one child’s favorite toy. Use examples that fit the child’s life.
6. Creative Choice Activity
Time: 8–10 minutes
Let the child choose one activity:
- Number 1 Collage: Draw a large 1 and decorate it with one sticker, one leaf, or one small piece of paper.
- One-Object Picture: Draw one animal, one person, or one balloon.
- Number 1 Hunt: Look for the numeral 1 on books, calendars, labels, or a keyboard.
- Build One: Use blocks to build one tower, then count it aloud.
Ask the child to explain the work:
“Tell me about your picture. What is one?”
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, check understanding by asking the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Hand over one object.
- Choose the group with one object.
- Show one finger.
- Count one action or object aloud.
If the child is unsure, model the answer gently and try again with fewer objects.
Conclusion: Tell What We Learned
Time: 5 minutes
Place the numeral 1 beside one object. Review by saying:
“Today we learned about the number 1. The number 1 means one thing. We practiced finding one, counting one, moving one time, and making the shape of 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you give me one object?”
- “Can you find one thing to put away?”
Finish with a cheerful chant:
“One little finger, hold it up!
One little toy, pick it up!
One is fun—we learned today!
Number 1 is here to stay!”
Summative Assessment
Give the child a small collection of objects and ask the child to:
- Point to the numeral 1.
- Give you one object.
- Count the object by saying “one.”
- Trace or attempt to draw the numeral 1.
Record the child’s progress with simple notes such as:
- Recognizes 1 independently
- Counts one object independently
- Needs a reminder to stop after one
- Attempts the correct writing motion
Differentiation and Support
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Hold the child’s hand gently while counting or tracing, if welcomed.
- Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Allow pointing, showing fingers, or choosing instead of speaking.
For a Child Ready for More
- Ask the child to find the numeral 1 in books or around the home.
- Compare one with two: “Which group has one? Which has two?”
- Ask the child to draw one object and write 1 beside it.
- Invite the child to teach someone else how to find one.
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, look for natural examples of one. Say, “You have one pair of shoes in your hand,” or “There is one spoon on the table.” Keep the practice short, playful, and connected to everyday life.