All About the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Crayon or washable marker
• One small toy or household object
• Several small objects, such as blocks, buttons, or pom-poms
• Paper and crayons
• Play dough or modeling clay
• Optional: the child’s favorite song or music

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 make the shape of the numeral 1.
• Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.

Success Criteria

The child is successful when they can:

• Point to the numeral 1.
• Give you one object.
• Say, “One!” while showing one finger.
• Make a recognizable numeral 1 with a crayon, finger, or play dough.

Introduction: Hook and Warm-Up

Time: 5 minutes

One Special Toy

1. Place one favorite toy in front of the child.
2. Ask, “How many toys do we have?”
3. Help the child touch the toy and say, “One.”
4. Hold up one finger and say, “This is one. One finger.”
5. Invite the child to hold up one finger too.

Tell the child: “Today we are learning about the number 1. One means just one thing.”

Body: Learn and Practice

1. I Do: Meet the Number 1

Time: 5 minutes

1. Draw a large numeral 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
2. Point to it and say, “This is the number 1.”
3. Trace it slowly while saying, “Down we go to make 1.”
4. Show one finger, one toy, and one clap.

Simple talking points:

• “One means just one.”
• “I have one nose.”
• “I have one mouth.”
• “The number 1 looks like this.”

Quick check: Ask, “Can you point to the number 1?” Praise effort with specific feedback, such as, “You found 1!”

2. We Do: Find One

Time: 7 minutes

1. Place several objects in front of the child.
2. Say, “Please give me one block.”
3. Count the object together: “One.”
4. Repeat with different objects, such as one crayon, one spoon, or one stuffed animal.
5. Mix in playful questions:
   • “Can you find one red thing?”
   • “Can you bring me one sock?”
   • “Can you put one block in the cup?”

Think and talk: Ask, “What is one thing you see in our room?” Accept answers such as a chair, table, book, or window.

3. We Do: Number 1 Movement Game

Time: 5 minutes

Say a number of movements, but focus on one:

• “Do one clap.”
• “Take one jump.”
• “Turn around one time.”
• “Touch one toe.”
• “Give one high-five.”

After each movement, ask, “How many did we do?” Help the child answer, “One.”

4. You Do: Make the Number 1

Time: 8 minutes

Let the child choose one way to make the number 1:

• Crayon: Trace a large dotted numeral 1.
• Finger writing: Draw 1 in flour, sand, or shaving cream.
• Play dough: Roll one long piece and shape it like 1.
• Body shape: Stand tall like the numeral 1.

Use simple guidance:

1. “Start at the top.”
2. “Go down.”
3. “That makes 1!”

Do not require perfect handwriting. Celebrate attempts and say, “You made a number 1!”

5. Real-Life Number 1 Hunt

Time: 5 minutes

Walk around the home together and look for groups of one. Invite the child to find:

• One pillow
• One book
• One spoon
• One shoe
• One picture

Let the child choose one item to show you. Ask, “What did you find one of?”

Conclusion: Review and Celebrate

Time: 5 minutes

Number 1 Chant

Say the chant together while holding up one finger:

“One finger, one clap,
One little tap.
One is the number we know—
Down, down, down we go!”

Review Questions

• “What number did we learn?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you give me one toy?”
• “Can you point to the number 1?”

End by saying, “Today you learned that 1 means one thing. Great counting!”

Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Watch whether the child can point to the numeral 1.
• Ask the child to give you one object.
• Listen for the child saying “one” while counting.
• Observe whether the child can follow one-step directions.

Summative Assessment: Show Me One

Place three small groups of objects in front of the child: a group with one object, a group with two objects, and a group with three objects. Ask the child to:

1. Point to the group with one object.
2. Give you one object.
3. Point to the numeral 1.
4. Make the numeral 1 using a crayon, finger, or play dough.

Differentiation and Adaptations

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time before showing multiple groups.
• Guide the child’s hand while counting or tracing.
• Use large objects and a large numeral 1.
• Repeat the words, “One means just one.”
• Allow pointing, touching, or showing one finger instead of speaking.

For an Extra Challenge

• Ask the child to find five different things that come in groups of one.
• Invite the child to draw one sun, one flower, or one person.
• Ask, “What happens if we add one more?”
• Compare one object with a group of two objects.

Optional Follow-Up Activities

• Read a picture book about counting.
• Make a “Number 1” page with one sticker, one drawing, or one fingerprint.
• Look for the numeral 1 on a clock, calendar, book, or food package.
• Sing a counting song and pause whenever you hear the word “one.”