All About the Number 1
Materials Needed
- Large paper or a whiteboard
- Crayon, marker, or pencil
- Number cards or a paper with the number 1
- Small toys, blocks, or household objects
- One favorite toy or stuffed animal
- Play dough or modeling clay
- Optional: music for a movement game
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:
- Recognize the number 1.
- Say the number 1.
- Count one object.
- Show one object when asked.
- Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
- Connect the number 1 with the idea of “just one.”
Success Criteria
“I can say 1, find 1, show 1, and make 1.”
Introduction: Meet the Number 1
Time: 5 minutes
Hook
Show the child one favorite toy.
Say: “Look! I have one toy. One means just one. Can you hold up one finger?”
Invite the child to hold up one finger and say, “One!” Repeat together several times using a cheerful voice, a whisper, and a silly voice.
Tell the Child What They Will Learn
Say: “Today we are going to play with the number 1. We will find 1, count 1, and make 1.”
Body: Learn and Practice
Part 1: I Do — See and Hear 1
Time: 5 minutes
Draw or show a large number 1.
Say: “This is the number 1. It says one. One looks like a straight line.”
Trace the number slowly with your finger while saying:
“Start at the top. Go straight down. That makes 1.”
Place one object beside the number 1.
Say: “The number 1 tells us there is one object. Here is 1 block.”
Quick Check
- Ask: “What number is this?”
- Ask: “How many blocks are here?”
- Ask: “Can you show me one finger?”
Part 2: We Do — Find One
Time: 8 minutes
Place a few groups of objects in front of the child. For example, make groups with one block, two blocks, and three blocks.
Say: “Let’s find the group with one object. Touch the group that has just one.”
Practice with different objects, such as:
- One spoon
- One sock
- One crayon
- One small toy
Each time, count slowly: “One.” Have the child touch the object while counting.
Think-and-Talk Questions
- “Can you find one red thing?”
- “Can you bring me one book?”
- “Do you have one nose?”
- “Can you find one toy you like?”
Movement Game: One, Stop!
Time: 5 minutes
Explain: “When I say ‘one,’ do one movement. Then stop.”
Try these actions:
- One jump
- One clap
- One spin
- One stomp
- One wiggle
Say, “Ready? One clap!” Let the child clap once. Celebrate the effort.
Part 3: I Do and We Do — Make the Number 1
Time: 7 minutes
Use your finger to draw the number 1 in the air.
Say: “Start at the top. Go straight down. This is 1.”
Have the child copy you in the air, on the table, and in a tray or on paper.
Next, make the number 1 with play dough. Roll one long piece of play dough and place it upright.
Say: “Our play dough line looks like 1.”
Choice Activity
Let the child choose one way to practice:
- Trace a large number 1.
- Draw a number 1 with a crayon.
- Build a number 1 with blocks.
- Make a number 1 with play dough.
- Paint a number 1 with a finger.
Part 4: You Do — Number 1 Hunt
Time: 8 minutes
Invite the child to look around the home and find things connected to the number 1.
Say: “Let’s go on a number 1 hunt. Find one thing and bring it back or point to it.”
Possible discoveries include:
- One pillow
- One spoon
- One shoe
- One stuffed animal
- One book
For each item, ask the child to say: “I found one ___.”
Formative Assessment
Show the child groups of objects and ask:
- “Which group has one?”
- “Can you give me one?”
- “How many are you holding?”
- “Can you point to the number 1?”
Real-World Connection
Explain: “We use 1 every day. We may have one nose, one mouth, one bed, or one favorite stuffed animal. One means just one.”
Invite the child to name one thing they have or love.
Conclusion: Show What You Know
Time: 5 minutes
Mini Demonstration
Ask the child to complete these four tasks:
- Point to the number 1.
- Say “one.”
- Give you one object.
- Trace or draw the number 1.
Celebrate with specific feedback:
“You found one block!”
“You counted one clap!”
“You made a number 1!”
Recap Together
Say:
“Today we learned about 1. One means just one. We can find 1, count 1, and make 1.”
Ask the child:
- “What number did we learn?”
- “Can you show me one finger?”
- “Can you name one thing you found?”
Summative Assessment
The child demonstrates learning by completing at least three of the following:
- Recognizes the written number 1.
- Says the word “one.”
- Counts one object correctly.
- Chooses one object from a group.
- Shows one finger.
- Traces or creates a recognizable number 1.
Differentiation and Support
For a Child Who Needs More Support
- Use only one object at a time.
- Model each action before asking the child to try.
- Use hand-over-hand support for tracing if needed.
- Repeat the same language: “One means just one.”
- Keep practice short and celebrate every attempt.
For a Child Ready for a Challenge
- Ask the child to find the number 1 in a book or around the home.
- Invite the child to draw one object next to the number 1.
- Ask the child to compare groups: “Which has one? Which has more?”
- Have the child make a page showing the number 1 and one item they like.
Optional Follow-Up Activity
Create a “Number 1” page. Write a large number 1 on paper. Let the child decorate it and draw or glue one item beside it. The child can say, “This is 1 ___.”