Grade
PK

Math in Our World: Ladybug Symmetry

What do you notice? What do you see in this picture? Share your ideas with a friend or family member.

3 + 3 = 6. A ladybug is on a design like flower petals. The ladybug has 2 wings with dots on them. Each wing has 3 dots. That's like holding up 3 fingers on one hand and 3 fingers on the other hand. This ladybug has 6 spots.

Here’s a math puzzle for you: When something matches perfectly on both sides, like this ladybug, we say that it’s symmetrical. Try making a symmetrical ladybug of your own.

  • Get someone to help you trace around a lid and draw a line right down the middle. This is the ladybug’s body.
  • You can add a head and some legs too. (Did you know that ladybugs have three legs on each side of their body?)
    NOTE: If you have a printer at home, you can print out a copy of a ladybug outline instead of drawing it yourself.
  • Find some tiny things and arrange them on both sides of your ladybug so the two wings match exactly. You could use pebbles, leaves, coins, toys, or food.
  • Clear off your ladybug and use something different to make another symmetrical design on the wings.

Tell someone about your work. Then ask them how they would use objects to make a symmetrical ladybug.

Printable Version

Google doc for printing and copying

Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions