Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

2’s to 120: Ladybug Number Hunt!

Counting to 120 by Recognizing Patterns in Numbers

Patricia Turner, Sara Andis

  • Grade Level Grade Level 1st, Kindergarten
  • Subject Subject Mathematics
  • Course Course Elementary Mathematics

Summary

In this lesson students will practice recognizing patterns while counting by 2’s to the number 120. Students will be given sets of ladybug cards that have even numbers on them. For each set of 10 the lady bug cards will be missing 2 numbers that the students have to fill in. (For example, a group of 2 students will have a card set that has the numbers 40, 44, and 46. There will be 2 blank laminated ladybug cards that are laminated so the students can fill in the missing numbers “42” and “48.”) Students will have a number bank to help them.

Essential Question(s)

How can we recognize patterns in math? In what ways can we represent patterns?

Snapshot

Engage

Explore

Explain

Extend

Evaluate

Materials

  • Ladybug Cards with numbers by 2's

  • Dry Erase Markers

  • Jar

  • Live Ladybugs

  • The book "Ten Little Ladybugs"

Engage

Students will play a number hunt game to practicing counting by 2's to 120.Students will get to take turns looking at a jar with an even number of real ladybugs. The teacher will say, "Do you remember how to count by 2's? Let's count the number of ladybugs in the jar by 2's."

Explore

Students will do the ladybug number hunt by 2's to practice counting by 2's and recognizing patterns. Students in groups of 2 will be given sets of ladybug cards that have even numbers on them. For each set of 10 the lady bug cards will be missing 2 numbers that the students have to fill in. (For example, a group of 2 students will have a card set that has the numbers 40, 44, and 46. There will be 2 blank laminated ladybug cards that are laminated so the students can fill in the missing numbers "42" and "48.") Students will have a number bank to help them.

Explain

When every group has finished hunting for the numbers to finish their number set, the class will review together. If someone made a mistake the class will help their friends find the right answer. The teacher will use her own ladybug cards to explain the patterns of counting up by 2's to wrap up the lesson.

Extend

Students who catch on to the pattern quickly will get to read a special story about counting ladybugs called "Ten Little Ladybugs." by Melanie Gerth where they get to practicing counting by rhyming.

GT Extension to Science:

Read LadyBug Book from Epic (https://www.getepic.com/book/64002490/life-cycle-of-a-ladybug?utm_source=t2t&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=content&share=44926140272)

Then have students complete the ladybug life cycle sheet together with the teacher.

Evaluate

During teacher table time, students will individually count by 2's to the highest number they can. The goal will be for them to get to 120. Students who do not make it to 120 will receive remediation and more practice.

For Remediation:

The teacher will redo the lady bug activity with students needing extra help during table time.

Do you have an activity that could be used for remediation? and one for the GT extension

The GT Extension was added to the extend box.

Resources