Lucky ladybug doubles

This lesson will involve students in using symmetry and doubling of numbers 1 through 7 to make ladybugs.

A lesson plan for grades K–1 Computer/Technology Skills and Mathematics

By Alta Allen

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• create ladybugs that have the same number of dots with the same dot designs on each side of their outer shells, thereby exploring the doubling of numbers 1 through 7.
• relate doubling to symmetry and explore odd and even numbers informally.
• go on a scavenger hunt for ladybug facts using the Internet, create symmetrical ladybugs paint or other drawing software, and create a slide show using Kid Pix demonstrating doubles.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• one-half of a small paper plate for each child
• two large paper plates (one cut in half) for each child
• one brad for each child
• self-sticking black dots (2-14 for each child)
• crayons and markers
• connecting cubes
• The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
• chart paper

Technology resources

• Kid Pix Studio Deluxe or other drawing software
• A Paint Program such as Paint
• Internet access with sites bookmarked
• Scavenger Hunt attachment

Pre-activities

Cut all the small paper plates in halves and half of the large paper plates beforehand. Each ladybug requires half of a small paper plate for its head, 1 large paper plate for its body (not cut), 2 large paper plate halves for the sides of its hard outer shell, and 1 brad to fasten these parts together. Children can use self-sticking circles for dots or color their own. Make a demonstration ladybug with three symmetrically placed dots on each side of its hard outer shell and a “6″ written on the inside paper plate. The number word “six” can also be written under the numeral 6 as students begin to make connections to the number word and the numeral itself.

Activities

1. Read The Grouchy Ladybug.
2. Begin a discussion about ladybugs’ dots. Ask, “Do all ladybugs have the same number of dots? Are the dots always the same on each side of their outer shell?” Use the Lady Beetles! website to show pictures to help students see the different looks of a ladybug.
3. Tell students, “We are going to make ladybugs that have the same number of dots on the two sides of their outer shells. If they have two dots on one side, they will have two dots on the other side. Try to place the dots in the same place on both sides.” Show the students the ladybug with six dots. Have students count the dots and show the number 6 underneath.
4. Distribute the ladybug materials. Students place a few black dots (seven or less) on one of the halves of the large paper plate with a crayon or self-sticking dots. Then they make the same number of dots on the other half. Talk about symmetry (same design on each side).
5. When they have finished, they count the total number of dots and write that number on the whole large plate. They decorate the ladybugs’ heads and assemble their ladybugs.
6. After this, they share their ladybugs and the numbers underneath the outer shell. Ask, “Why would the number 5 not work for the kind of ladybug we made in class?” The students should use connecting cubes to try to separate the following numbers into two equal piles: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. As they discover which quantities can be divided equally, write these numbers on the chalkboard. Talk about odd and even numbers as they use the connecting cubes to discover which can be divided equally and which can not be divided equally.
7. After this part of the lesson has been completed,then computers/technology can be used to:
   • Create a Ladybug using Paint where students draw 1/2 of their ladybugs, then using copy, rotate, and paste, they create the other half of the ladybug where a symmetrical ladybug is displayed.
   • Using Kid Pix Studio Deluxe, students will create several ladybugs modeling the classroom activity where each ladybug has the same number of spots on each side and then placing the numeral plus the number work on each slide. Then a class slide show demonstrating the concept of doubling (equal number of spots on each side)can be created with numbers (2,4,6,8,10, etc.). ladybug powerpoint
   • Complete a Ladybug scavenger hunt.

Assessment

• Construction of ladybugs.
• Sharing of work done through class discussions.
• Creation of a Ladybug Slide Show using Kid Pix Studio Deluxe demonstrating the concept of doubling (equal number of spots on each side).
• Creation of a Ladybug using Paint where students draw 1/2 of their ladybugs, then using copy, rotate, and paste, they create the other half of the ladybug where a symmetrical ladybug is displayed.
• Completion of the Ladybug scavenger hunt.

Supplemental information

These ladybugs can be kept in a math center where children can use them to continue counting the dots, adding them, and checking behind the outer shell to see if they are correct. Other literature books can be used to introduce the lesson. Three suggested books are:

• Ladybug by Emery Bernhard
• Ladybug, Ladybug by Ruth Brown
• The Ladybug and Other Insects: A First Discovery Book by Scholastic

This lesson has been adapted from the Math Trailblazers Kindergarten Teacher Resource Book. (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company)

Comments

This lesson was created in conjunction with a Project NOW workshop sponsored by the North Carolina School of Science and Math presented by Alta Allen, Gail Lane, and Marva Bond.