Preschoolers develop math skills when they play with matching ladybug cards. The cards can be handmade by the teacher. Simply draw several pairs of matching ladybugs with the same number of spots on cards. Check to make sure that the pairs are differentiated from one another by different numbers of spots. Mix up the deck of cards and ask students to match the pairs. Ask the students to count the number of spots and match them with another card. To make the game competitive, see who can find the most matches.
Alter the classic party game of pin the tail on the donkey to make it fit within an insect math unit. Cut a large ladybug out of red construction paper and post it on a wall. Give students large black circles of construction paper, covered with pieces of double-sided tape. Blindfold each child in turn and ask them to pin the dots on the ladybug. The students watching can count out loud how many spots the child is able to pin on the bug.
Teach students the characteristics of insects and then test their knowledge with a hands-on activity. Make a T-shaped diagram that reads "insect" on one side and "non-insect" on the other. Give each student several pictures of animals. Some of the photos should be of insects and others of non-insects. When they are instructed to begin, students should race to the diagram and match their photos to the correct side. When the game is over, discuss the results. One of the identifying features of the insect is its six legs. Have students count each photo for the correct number of legs to practice their counting skills.
A large part of math involves the ability to remember and identify figures. Preschoolers can hone their memory skills while learning about insects and matching different species. Create a deck of cards with the image of several different insects on the front of each card. For each insect represented, there should be a matching image. Place the cards face down on a table. Encourage a student to flip two cards up at a time. If the cards match, the student gets to keep the pair. If it is not a match, he must turn them back over and let another student take a turn. The game requires that students remember where different insects are located on the table, so that they can make a match when the next turn comes.