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.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/iFE1azbsgabFIGK9BlFQeJCkCeJBfAhRxhUhLAHX3ojgex8QZ8.png?itok=gy7vPBKl)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/sI4Pj8jblsfKM5fkAMukAWx7A97OpgsiyoR1kYNh1tPgkDlAy9.png?itok=sZOVwHXW)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/aIaxc5voNForrLGcQlFNJCLQGZTMuPCEj8anjvB8OTW732in5s.png?itok=EQJInp5o)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/inline-images/qzJIbniGWJjAEWgq0Tk0Py7mcz6YpSm0yQoG1jgxeVeKmr7uyB.png?itok=n1y56TO7)
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