Fun with the Number 1

Materials Needed

• One large card or piece of paper with the number 1
• Small objects such as blocks, toy animals, buttons, or crackers
• Paper and crayons
• 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 numeral 1.
• Count one object.
• Show one object when asked.
• Trace or make the shape of the number 1.
• Connect the number 1 to real-life examples.

Success Criteria

Success looks like this:

• “I can find the number 1.”
• “I can give you one thing.”
• “I can count one object.”
• “I can make a number 1.”

Introduction: Meet Number 1

Hook: Hold up one finger and say, “Look! I have one finger up. Can you show me one finger?”

Invite the child to look around the room and find something that comes in a group of one, such as one nose, one cup, or one favorite toy.

Tell the child: “Today we are going to play with the number 1. The number 1 tells us that there is one thing.”

Body: Learn and Practice

I Do: Model the Number 1

1. Show the numeral 1.
2. Say, “This is the number 1.”
3. Hold up one finger and say, “One finger.”
4. Place one block on the table and say, “One block.”
5. Trace the numeral in the air while saying, “Down we go to make 1.”

Quick check: Ask, “Can you point to the number 1?” and “How many blocks are here?”

We Do: One or More?

Place groups of objects on the table. Make some groups with one object and some with two or three objects.

1. Point to a group with one object.
2. Say, “This group has one. Let’s count: one.”
3. Point to another group and count together.
4. Ask, “Does this group have one?”

Give the child one object at a time and ask, “How many do you have?” Encourage the child to touch the object while saying, “One.”

Interactive Game: Find One

Say, “Let’s go on a number 1 hunt!”

1. Find one book.
2. Find one soft toy.
3. Find one spoon.
4. Find one blue object or one object of another chosen color.

After each find, say together, “We found one!”

We Do: Make Number 1 with Play Dough

1. Roll the play dough into a long snake.
2. Place it on the table in the shape of the numeral 1.
3. Trace the shape with a finger.
4. Say, “This is 1.”

Let the child decorate the number with one button, one bead, or one small toy.

You Do: Draw and Trace

Give the child paper and crayons.

1. Write several large numeral 1s for the child to trace.
2. Invite the child to try making a number 1 independently.
3. Ask the child to draw one object next to the numeral 1.

Examples might include one sun, one flower, one balloon, or one happy face.

Movement Break: One Jump

Say a direction and have the child do it one time:

• “Do one jump!”
• “Clap one time!”
• “Spin one time!”
• “Touch one toe!”

Pause and ask, “How many times did we jump?”

Real-Life Connection

During snack time or playtime, ask the child to choose one item.

• “Please bring me one cracker.”
• “Can you find one teddy bear?”
• “Please place one block in the box.”

Explain, “We use numbers to tell how many things we have.”

Assessment

Formative Checks

• Ask the child to point to the numeral 1 among two or three numerals.
• Ask the child to give you one object.
• Show one object and ask, “How many?”
• Ask the child to show one finger.
• Watch whether the child begins the numeral from the top when tracing.

Summative Demonstration

Invite the child to complete the “Number 1 Challenge”:

1. Find the numeral 1.
2. Show one finger.
3. Count one object.
4. Give you one object.
5. Draw or make a numeral 1.

Celebrate effort and say, “You showed me the number 1 in many ways!”

Differentiation and Choice

For Extra Support

• Use only one object at a time.
• Guide the child’s hand while tracing.
• Repeat the words “one” and “number 1” often.
• Use large objects and a large numeral card.

For More Challenge

• Ask the child to find the numeral 1 in a book or on a sign.
• Invite the child to make a collection with one object in several different ways.
• Ask, “What is one thing you like?” and have the child draw it.
• Compare one object with a group of two objects.

Learning Choices

The child may choose one activity to repeat:

• Make the number 1 with play dough.
• Draw one favorite object.
• Go on another number 1 hunt.
• Play the one-jump movement game.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Hold up the numeral 1 and ask:

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

Recap together:

“The number 1 means one thing. We can see it, say it, count it, and make it!”

Optional Follow-Up

Throughout the day, look for examples of one. Say, “I see one door,” “You have one cup,” or “There is one moon.” Invite the child to make a small “Number 1” page by drawing one object and writing or tracing the numeral 1.