Make practising doubles facts hands-on and collaborative with our Ladybug Doubles Addition Sticks! This versatile resource offers a range of engaging ways for students to explore and consolidate their understanding of doubles through interactive play. Whether used in a whole-class game, small group activity, or as part of a maths display, these ladybug-themed sticks bring a fun and tactile element to doubles practise that students will love.

The activity is simple to prepare and highly flexible. In a whole-class setting, give each student a stick and have them move around the room to find their doubles partner. This encourages movement, interaction, and mathematical discussion. In small groups or independent centres, students can work together to match the sticks correctly, fostering collaboration and reinforcing their knowledge of doubles facts. The tactile nature of handling and matching the sticks also supports fine motor development alongside mathematical fluency.

Ladybug Doubles Addition Sticks can also be used to create an eye-catching interactive display. Attach leaves to a vine or tree display in your classroom, and have students peg the ladybug sticks to the correct leaf to match the doubles fact. This provides an ongoing visual reference for students and offers additional opportunities for hands-on learning. With so many ways to use this resource, you’ll find it a valuable addition to your doubles strategy teaching toolkit!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Develop fluency with doubles facts
• ✅ Strengthen number sense and understanding of number relationships
• ✅ Build confidence and efficiency in applying the doubles counting strategy
• ✅ Promote collaboration, communication, and positive maths talk
• ✅ Foster fine motor development through hands-on matching activities

What’s Included:

• Ladybug Doubles Addition Stick templates (ladybug tops and stick labels)
• Leaf templates for optional display use
• Teacher notes with tips for set-up, activity ideas, and differentiation

Materials Needed:

• Printed ladybug and stick templates
• Popsicle sticks or wooden craft sticks for assembling the addition sticks
• Printed leaf templates (if creating a display)
• Pegs or clips for attaching ladybugs to leaves
• Glue, scissors, and laminator (optional for durability)

How to Use:

1. Print and prepare the ladybug tops and stick labels. Attach each label to a popsicle stick and top with a ladybug.
2. For whole-class use: give each student a stick and have them find their matching doubles partner.
3. For small group or centre use: provide a set of sticks for students to match collaboratively or independently.
4. For display use: attach leaf templates to a classroom display and have students peg the correct ladybug sticks to the matching leaves.
5. Encourage students to verbalise their doubles facts as they match to reinforce understanding.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use as a whole-class warm-up or maths game to get students moving and thinking about doubles facts.
• 💡 Include in small group rotations for collaborative doubles practise and positive maths talk.
• 💡 Set up as an independent centre activity for students to match and self-check their doubles facts.
• 💡 Create an interactive classroom display using leaves and pegs to provide a visual reference for doubles facts.
• 💡 Pair students of varying abilities to foster peer teaching and reinforce doubles fluency during the activity.

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate the ladybug tops and stick labels for durability and repeated use.
• 💛 Model the activity with the class to ensure students understand how to match doubles facts correctly.
• 💛 Encourage students to explain their reasoning aloud as they match, supporting mathematical language development.
• 💛 Use the display option to keep doubles facts visible and accessible throughout your doubles strategy unit and beyond.

Ladybug Doubles Addition Sticks is a flexible and engaging resource that provides multiple opportunities for students to build fluency and confidence with doubles facts. Whether used in a game, small group activity, or classroom display, it’s sure to become a favourite part of your maths program!