One Is Fun! Learning the Number 1
Materials Needed
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Paper
- Crayons or washable markers
- Large card or paper with the number 1
- Small objects such as blocks, buttons, or toy animals
- Optional: music for a movement game
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 writing the number 1.
- Use the word “one” in a simple sentence.
Success Looks Like This
- “I can find the number 1.”
- “I can give you one thing.”
- “I can count one object: one.”
- “I can make a number 1 with my finger, crayon, or body.”
Introduction: Let’s Find One
Teacher/Parent says: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing. Can you show me one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger. Count together:
“One!”
Show the child the favorite toy or stuffed animal.
Ask: “How many toys am I holding? Let’s count: one!”
Real-world connection: Explain that we see one thing every day, such as one nose, one moon in the sky, or one front door.
Body: I Do
1. Meet the Number 1
Show the numeral 1.
Say: “This is the number 1. It tells us there is one thing.”
Use your finger to trace the number in the air while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Trace the number in the air, on the table, and on the child’s palm if they are comfortable.
2. Count One Object
Place one block on the table.
Say: “I see one block. I touch it one time and say one.”
Touch the block and count slowly: “One.”
Body: We Do
1. Show Me One
Place several different objects nearby. Ask the child to choose one object.
Say: “Please give me one block.”
Repeat with different objects:
- “Can you give me one toy animal?”
- “Can you pick up one crayon?”
- “Can you bring me one book?”
Celebrate each success with specific feedback:
“You gave me one block. You counted carefully!”
2. Think, Talk, and Find
Look around the room together. Take turns finding things that come in ones.
Ask:
- “Can you find one chair?”
- “Can you find one door?”
- “Can you show me one nose?”
Let the child suggest something that comes in one.
3. Number 1 Movement Game
Give simple movement directions. Each direction must happen one time.
- Take one jump.
- Clap one time.
- Turn around one time.
- Touch one toe.
After each movement, say, “You did it one time!”
Body: You Do
1. Make a Group of One
Give the child a small collection of objects.
Instructions:
- “Put one object in this cup.”
- “Check it. Is there one?”
- “Now choose a different object and make another group of one.”
Allow the child to choose which objects to use.
2. Create the Number 1
Invite the child to make the number 1 in one or more ways:
- Trace the number 1 with a crayon.
- Draw the number 1 in the air.
- Make the number 1 with a finger.
- Build the number 1 with blocks or a piece of string.
- Use the child’s body to make a tall, straight “1.”
Encouraging words: “You started at the top and moved down. That looks like 1!”
3. One-Item Art
Ask the child to draw a picture with exactly one main object.
Choices:
- One sun
- One flower
- One balloon
- One pet
- One favorite toy
When finished, ask: “What is your one thing?”
Quick Checks for Understanding
Ask the child to:
- Point to the number 1.
- Hold up one finger.
- Give you one object.
- Count one object.
- Find one thing in the room.
If the child gives more than one object, gently say, “Let’s try again. One means just one. Take away the extras.”
Fun Practice: One Snack
During snack time, give the child one small snack item at a time, such as one cracker or one strawberry.
Use simple questions:
- “How many crackers are on your plate?”
- “Can you take one bite?”
- “Can you put one napkin on the table?”
Explain that numbers help us count things in real life.
Conclusion and Recap
Show the number 1 again.
Ask:
- “What number is this?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you give me one toy?”
- “What is one thing you saw today?”
Say together:
“One means just one. The number 1 helps us count one thing!”
Summative Assessment: Show What You Know
Invite the child to complete this short challenge:
- Find the number 1 among two or three number cards.
- Place one object beside the number 1.
- Say, “One.”
- Trace or draw the number 1.
Mastery goal: The child completes at least three of the four tasks with little or no help.
Differentiation and Support
If the child needs more help
- Use only one object at a time.
- Physically point to or touch the object while counting.
- Use large number cards and thick crayons.
- Repeat the phrase, “One means just one.”
- Let the child copy your movements instead of working independently.
If the child is ready for more
- Ask the child to find groups of one around the home.
- Compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
- Ask the child to draw the number 1 without tracing.
- Invite the child to make a simple “one” book with one drawing on each page.
- Practice finding the number 1 in books, calendars, or signs.
Child Reflection
Ask the child to finish one sentence:
- “Today I learned that one means __________.”
- “My favorite one thing was __________.”
- “I made the number 1 by __________.”