Double the Spots, Double the Strategy: Why Every Classroom Needs Doubles 🐞

Double Dots Just Got Even Better 🐞✨

There’s something so satisfying about teaching doubles. They’re tidy. They’re predictable. They build confidence quickly. And when you pair them with ladybugs? Magic.

I’ve recently refreshed and expanded my Double Dots Ladybug Activities — and I’m so excited about the additions!

The biggest update? The set now includes doubles from 0–15, with both dot patterns and numerals included on every card. Students can model the dots, connect them to numbers, and record the full addition sentence. It’s visual, hands-on, and structured — but still playful.

I’ve also added:

• Two full-page plain ladybug play mats for flexible use (perfect for counters, play dough, larger manipulatives, or whole-group modelling)
• Three follow-up worksheets:
• A recording page for addition sentences
• A Ladybug Spin a Double game
• A fun coloring page for extension or fast finishers

Everything works together so you can move from modelling… to recording… to fluency.

You can find the full resource here:

👉 Double Dots Ladybug Activities (0–15)

Why Doubles Matter (Even in Kindergarten)

Instant recall of double facts is one of the most powerful foundations in early addition.

When children know doubles automatically, they:

• Build confidence with mental math
• Solve near doubles more easily (6 + 7 becomes “double 6 plus one more”)
• Strengthen number sense
• Develop efficient strategies naturally

And here’s the beautiful part — it’s never too early to introduce the idea.

Even if you’re not formally teaching addition strategies in Kindergarten, children working on fluency within 5 can absolutely begin to notice doubles.

They can see:

• 2 dots and 2 more dots
• 3 counters and 3 counters
• Two equal groups

You’re simply helping them notice patterns in numbers — and that fits seamlessly into early counting and composing numbers.

And truly… ladybugs are just made for this.

• Two wings
• Equal spots
• Combine them to find the total.

It’s concrete, visual, and developmentally perfect.

New! Dot Ladybug Classroom Clipart 🐞

Alongside the activity update, I’ve also created a coordinating Dot Ladybugs Classroom Clipart Set.

This set is designed for teachers who love adding visual engagement to their classroom — especially on a math wall or in a math corner.

Use them to:

• Create doubles posters
• Label strategy charts
• Decorate number talks
• Build interactive displays
• Add playful stimulus to a math centre

They’re simple, flexible, and classroom-friendly.

👉 Dot Ladybugs Classroom Clipart

A Free Math Game Idea: Double Dice Ladybug Builders 🎲🐞

If you’ve never used a double dice (the small dice nested inside a larger transparent one)… you’re missing out.

They’re like little math shakers. They jiggle, they rattle — and honestly? They sound like tiny ladybug feet running across a leaf. Kids love them.

Here’s a simple, no-prep classroom game:

You’ll need:

• 2D shape pattern blocks
• A double dice

How to Play:

• Roll the double dice.
• If the numbers match (a double!), say the total aloud.
• “Double 4! That’s 8!”
• Each time a student rolls a double, they earn a pattern block piece.
• Use pattern blocks to build ladybugs:
• Hexagon = body
• Square = head
• 2 rhombuses = wings
• Keep rolling and building as many bugs as possible within a time limit.
• No doubles? Roll again!

It reinforces:

• Recognising doubles
• Saying the addition sentence
• Quick mental totals
• Shape recognition
• Fine motor skills
• Joyful engagement
• It’s playful. It’s noisy. It’s memorable.
• And that’s what we want early math to feel like.

If you’re already using Double Dots in your classroom, I hope the expanded range and new components make it even more versatile for you. And if you’re just beginning to explore doubles — welcome to one of the most satisfying strategies in early math 🐞✨