All About the Number 1

Materials Needed

• Large paper or a whiteboard
• Marker or crayon
• One small toy, block, or stuffed animal
• Several safe household objects, such as blocks, spoons, or socks
• Paper and crayons
• Optional: play dough or dry cereal for counting

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 draw the numeral 1.
• Find groups that have exactly one object.

Success Criteria

“I know I can do it when I can point to 1, show one object, count one object, and make the shape of 1.”

Introduction: The Number 1

Hook

Hold up one toy and say:

“Look! I have one teddy bear. Can you show me one finger?”

Let the child hold up one finger. Say:

“Today we are learning about the number 1. The number 1 tells us there is one thing.”

Learning Objectives in Child-Friendly Words

Tell the child:

“We will find 1, count 1, make 1, and draw 1.”

Body of the Lesson

I Do: Teacher or Parent Demonstration

1. Write a large 1 on paper or a whiteboard.
2. Point to it and say, “This is the number 1.”
3. Show one block. Say, “I have one block. Let’s count it: one.”
4. Hold up one finger and say, “One means just one.”
5. Model drawing the number 1 by saying, “Start at the top. Go down.”

Quick Check

Ask:

• “Which number is this?”
• “How many blocks am I holding?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”

We Do: Explore Together

Activity 1: Find One

Place several groups of objects in front of the child. For example, place one spoon, two blocks, and three socks in separate groups.

Say:

“Let’s find the group with one thing. Touch the group that has one.”

Repeat with different household objects.

Activity 2: One-Finger Actions

Invite the child to do each action exactly one time:

• Clap one time.
• Jump one time.
• Tap the table one time.
• Give one high-five.

After each action, ask, “How many times did you do it?”

Activity 3: Build the Number 1

Use play dough, a piece of string, or a finger in the air to make the shape of 1.

Say together:

“Up, down. That makes 1!”

You Do: Child Practice

Activity 4: Number Hunt

Ask the child to look around the home for the numeral 1. The child may find it in a book, on a clock, on a label, or on a calendar.

Each time the child finds a 1, ask:

“What number did you find?”

Activity 5: Make a Set of One

Ask the child to choose one object from a group of safe objects.

Give directions one at a time:

1. “Pick one block.”
2. “Put one crayon beside it.”
3. “Choose one toy.”

Have the child count each chosen object: “One.”

Activity 6: Trace and Draw 1

Write several large dotted numeral 1s on paper. Invite the child to:

• Trace the dotted 1s with a finger.
• Trace them with a crayon.
• Try drawing a 1 independently.
• Decorate the page with one sticker or one small drawing.

Real-World Connection

Point out examples of one during the day:

• One nose
• One sun
• One front door
• One plate at the table
• One favorite toy

Ask, “Can you find one thing?”

Formative Assessment

During the activities, observe whether the child can:

• Point to the numeral 1.
• Show one finger.
• Give one object when asked.
• Count one object without adding extra numbers.
• Recognize which group has one object.

Summative Assessment: Show What You Know

Ask the child to complete these five tasks:

1. Point to the numeral 1.
2. Show one finger.
3. Give you one object.
4. Count one object by saying “one.”
5. Trace or draw the numeral 1.

Celebrate effort with specific feedback, such as:

“You gave me exactly one block. You counted it carefully!”

Differentiation and Choice

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
• Repeat the phrase, “1 means one thing.”
• Use large objects that are easy to see and touch.

For More Challenge

• Ask the child to compare one object with a group of two or three objects.
• Invite the child to find the numeral 1 in a book or on a calendar.
• Ask the child to draw one sun, one flower, or one favorite toy.
• Play a game in which the child rolls a die and finds whether it shows one dot.

Child Choice

Let the child choose one activity to repeat:

• Find one object.
• Build the number 1.
• Draw the number 1.
• Do one movement.

Conclusion and Recap

Hold up the numeral 1 and ask:

• “What number is this?”
• “What does 1 mean?”
• “Can you show me one finger?”
• “Can you find one thing?”

Say together:

“1 means one. I can find one, count one, and make the number 1!”

Optional Follow-Up

Throughout the day, invite the child to notice one thing at a time. For example, ask, “Can you bring me one sock?” or “Can you find one red object?”