Fun With the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One large paper or a small whiteboard
- Crayon or washable marker
- Small objects, such as blocks, buttons, toy animals, or snacks
- Number cards, including a large card showing 1
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Paper and crayons
- Optional: a favorite song or music for movement
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the numeral 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or try to write the number 1.
- Explain that “one” means a single thing.
Success Criteria
The child is successful when they can:
- Point to the number 1.
- Give one object when asked.
- Count one object using the word “one.”
- Make a number 1 with a finger, crayon, or play dough.
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Hook: Hold up one favorite toy and say, “Look! I have one toy. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Say:
“Today we are going to play with the number 1. One means just one thing.”
Talk Together
- “How many noses do you have?”
- “How many heads do you have?”
- “Can you find one toy?”
Explain that the written mark 1 is called the numeral one. Let the child look at, touch, and say the number.
Body of the Lesson
I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration
Place one block on the table. Point to it and slowly say, “One.” Touch the block once as you count.
Show the number card and say:
“This is the number 1. It tells us there is one thing.”
Model how to make the number 1:
- Start at the top.
- Make a straight line down.
Say, “Down we go to make 1!” Allow the child to watch you write the number several times.
We Do: Practice Together
Activity 1: Find One
Place several groups of objects nearby. Some groups should have one object, while others have two or more.
Say:
“Let’s find the group with one. Touch the group that has one.”
Practice with different objects, such as:
- One block
- One stuffed animal
- One crayon
- One spoon
After each answer, ask, “How many?” Encourage the child to answer, “One.”
Activity 2: One-Finger Movement Game
Give simple movement directions. The child should do each action one time:
- Clap one time.
- Jump one time.
- Tap your knee one time.
- Spin one time.
- Give one high-five.
Pause and ask, “How many times did we clap?” Encourage the answer, “One!”
Activity 3: Make the Number 1
Invite the child to form the number 1 using play dough. The child may:
- Roll one long piece of dough.
- Place it straight up and down.
- Trace the number 1 with a finger.
Say, “You made a number 1!” Give specific encouragement, such as, “You made one straight line from the top to the bottom.”
You Do: Child Practice
Choice Activity
Let the child choose one activity:
- Number 1 Hunt: Look around the home for the number 1 on books, clocks, labels, or toys.
- One-Object Basket: Put one object into a basket each time the adult names an item.
- Number 1 Art: Draw a large number 1 and decorate it with stickers, dots, or crayons.
- Snack Count: Place one snack on a plate and say, “I have one snack.”
Ask the child to explain what they are doing using a sentence such as:
“I have one ____.”
Formative Assessment: Quick Checks
Throughout the lesson, ask the child to:
- Point to the number 1.
- Show one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Find the group with one object.
- Count one object aloud.
If the child is unsure, model the answer and try again with fewer objects.
Real-World Connection
Talk about things that come in ones:
- One sun
- One moon in the picture
- One nose
- One family pet
- One toothbrush
Ask, “Can you find one thing in this room?” Let the child choose an object and count it.
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Give the child this short challenge:
- “Point to the number 1.”
- “Give me one block.”
- “Show me one finger.”
- “Make a number 1 with play dough or draw one.”
- “How many blocks did you give me?”
Celebrate effort and improvement. The child does not need perfect handwriting to show understanding.
Differentiation and Support
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object and an empty space.
- Guide the child’s hand while tracing the number 1.
- Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.
- Repeat the words “one,” “single,” and “just one.”
- Practice for a few minutes at a time rather than completing the whole lesson at once.
For a Child Ready for More
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or on a calendar.
- Ask them to draw one object beside the number 1.
- Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
- Invite the child to make a simple number 1 collage.
- Ask, “What is one thing you would take on a picnic?”
Conclusion and Recap
Hold up the number card and ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “How many things does one mean?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
Say:
“Today we learned that the number 1 means one thing. We found one, counted one, moved one time, and made the number 1.”
Goodbye Chant
One little finger, point up high,
One little wave and say goodbye!
Optional Follow-Up
During the day, invite the child to find and name one object in different places around the home. For example, “Find one blue thing,” “Bring me one book,” or “Show me one spoon.”