Teaching children addition facts can be challenging. Memorizing numbers takes practice. But when we add music and movement, learning becomes fun and easy. Today, we are going to explore the doubles song for kids and discover how this simple musical tool helps children master their doubles facts from 1+1 to 10+10.
What Is a Doubles Song? A doubles song is a musical piece that teaches children to add a number to itself. These songs cover doubles facts from 1+1 through 10+10. The catchy tunes and repetitive lyrics help children memorize these essential math facts.
Doubles facts are important building blocks for math. Once children know that 2+2=4, they can figure out that 2+3 is just one more. Doubles help with mental math and build number sense.
The best doubles songs have simple, memorable lyrics. They often include actions or movements. Children sing along and internalize the facts without even realizing they are learning.
The Lyrics of Popular Doubles Songs Let us look at some classic doubles song for kids lyrics that work well in the classroom.
The Doubles Rap (original chant):
1 plus 1 is 2, that's true! 2 plus 2 is 4, let's do some more! 3 plus 3 is 6, do some tricks! 4 plus 4 is 8, isn't that great? 5 plus 5 is 10, let's sing again!
6 plus 6 is 12, help yourselves! 7 plus 7 is 14, the biggest you've seen! 8 plus 8 is 16, let's get clean! 9 plus 9 is 18, looking keen! 10 plus 10 is 20, we've got plenty!
The Doubles Song (to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"):
1 and 1 are 2, 2 and 2 are 4. 3 and 3 are 6, you see, 4 and 4 are 8.
5 and 5 are 10, 6 and 6 are 12. 7 and 7 are 14, 8 and 8 are 16.
9 and 9 are 18, 10 and 10 are 20. Doubles facts are fun to learn, Let's sing them once again!
Double Number Chant (simple call and response):
Teacher: 1 plus 1 Children: 2! Teacher: 2 plus 2 Children: 4! Teacher: 3 plus 3 Children: 6! (continue through 10)
Vocabulary Learning from Doubles Songs Doubles songs introduce important math vocabulary.
Number Words: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Children practice number names in order.
Addition Words: Plus, and, equals, are, makes. Children learn different ways to talk about addition.
Math Action Words: Add, plus, total, sum. These words describe what we do with numbers.
Result Words: Is, are, equals, makes. Children learn to state the answer.
Rhyming Number Pairs: Two/true, four/more, six/tricks, eight/great, ten/again, twelve/selves, fourteen/seen, sixteen/clean, eighteen/keen, twenty/plenty. These rhymes help memory.
Phonics Points in Doubles Songs We can use doubles songs to practice specific sounds. The repetition helps children hear and produce these sounds correctly.
The /s/ sound appears in "six," "seven," and "plus." This sibilant sound requires the tongue near the teeth.
The /v/ sound appears in "seven" and "twelve." This voiced sound requires the bottom lip on the top teeth.
The /f/ sound appears in "four," "five," and "fourteen." This sound requires teeth on the bottom lip.
The /t/ sound appears in "two," "ten," and "twenty." This quick sound requires the tongue behind the teeth.
The /n/ sound appears in "nine," "ten," and "fourteen." This nasal sound requires the tongue on the roof of the mouth.
Grammar Patterns in Doubles Songs Doubles songs contain simple grammar patterns that children absorb naturally.
Present Tense: "1 plus 1 is 2" uses present tense. Children learn to state facts that are always true.
Imperative Form: "Let's sing again" encourages participation. Children learn this common phrase.
Repetitive Structure: Each verse follows the same pattern. This predictability builds confidence.
Number Agreement: "1 plus 1 is 2" uses singular verb "is" with a singular total. Children internalize this pattern.
Learning Activities with Doubles Songs Doubles songs can be the center of many engaging activities. Here are some ways to extend the learning.
Finger Doubles: Use fingers to show each double. For 1+1, hold up one finger on each hand. For 2+2, hold up two fingers on each hand. Children see the numbers as they sing.
Doubles Flash Cards: Create flash cards for each double fact. One side shows "1+1." The other side shows "2." Children quiz each other while singing.
Doubles Bingo: Create bingo cards with the answers to doubles facts (2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20). Call out the facts. "1 plus 1." Children cover 2.
Doubles Memory: Create pairs of cards. One card has the fact "1+1." The matching card has the answer "2." Children play memory match.
Doubles Hopscotch: Draw a hopscotch grid with numbers 2-20 (even numbers only). Children hop and say the double that makes that number. "2 is 1+1. 4 is 2+2."
Printable Materials for Doubles Songs Printable resources can enhance the learning experience. Here are some materials to create.
Doubles Chart: Create a colorful chart showing all the doubles facts from 1+1 to 10+10. Include pictures or dots to show each fact visually.
Doubles Flash Cards: Create cards with each double fact. One side shows the equation. The other side shows the answer.
Doubles Coloring Page: Create a coloring page with numbers. Children color the even numbers that come from doubles facts.
Doubles Mini-Book: Create a simple foldable book with one double fact on each page. Children draw dots or pictures to show each fact.
Doubles Song Lyrics Poster: Create a colorful poster with the doubles song for kids lyrics. Display during song time.
Educational Games with Doubles Songs Games make learning doubles facts even more engaging. Here are some games to try.
Doubles Freeze Dance: Play the doubles song. Children dance. When the music stops, call out a number. "8!" Children must say the double that makes 8 (4+4) and freeze.
Doubles Race: Divide children into two teams. Call out a double fact. The first child to say the correct answer wins a point for their team.
Doubles Go Fish: Create cards with doubles facts and answer cards. Children play Go Fish asking for matches. "Do you have 3+3?" "Do you have 6?"
Doubles Around the World: One child stands behind another. Show a double fact. The first to say the answer moves to the next child. The winner travels around the room.
Doubles Memory: Create cards with facts and answers. Place them face down. Children take turns finding matches.
Why Doubles Matter in Math Doubles facts are foundational for math learning. Once children know doubles, they can figure out other facts.
Near doubles use doubles plus one. If you know 4+4=8, then 4+5 is just one more, which is 9.
Doubles help with mental math. When shopping, if something costs $4 and you buy two, you know it's $8.
Doubles appear in everyday life. Two hands have ten fingers. Two feet have ten toes. Two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs.
Visualizing Doubles Visual aids help children understand what doubles mean.
Use counters or small objects. Show one counter and one more counter. Count together. 1+1=2.
Use dot cards. Show a card with two dots. That's 1+1. Show a card with four dots. That's 2+2.
Use ten frames. Fill two rows to show doubles. 5+5 fills the whole ten frame.
These visual representations build number sense and understanding.
Doubles in the Real World Point out doubles in everyday life to make learning meaningful.
"Look, we have two cookies. If we each take one, that's 1+1=2 cookies."
"There are two dogs in the park. If two more come, that would be 2+2=4 dogs."
"You have five fingers on one hand and five on the other. That's 5+5=10 fingers."
"We have three red apples and three green apples. That's 3+3=6 apples total."
These real-world connections make doubles facts relevant.
Creating New Doubles Verses Children can create their own verses for doubles songs. This builds deeper understanding.
What about doubles beyond 10? 11+11=22, 12+12=24. Older children can extend the pattern.
What about doubles with objects? "2 ducks plus 2 ducks is 4 ducks swimming." This adds vocabulary practice.
Writing new verses together builds confidence and shows children that math patterns continue.
Doubles Books Picture books can reinforce doubles concepts. Look for books about counting and addition.
"Double the Ducks" by Stuart J. Murphy is about a boy who has to take care of twice as many ducks. It teaches doubling in a story context.
"Two of Everything" by Lily Toy Hong is a Chinese folktale about a magic pot that doubles anything put inside.
"Sea Squares" by Joy N. Hulme explores squares and doubles with ocean animals.
While reading, point out the doubles. "How many ducks now? That's double what he started with."
Assessing Doubles Knowledge We can observe children's understanding of doubles through natural interactions.
Do they respond quickly when asked "What's 3+3?" Do they use doubles to figure out other facts? Do they notice doubles in the environment?
We can play quick games to check understanding. Flash a card, and see how quickly they respond. This informal assessment guides our teaching.
As we explore the doubles song for kids with young learners, we help them build a strong math foundation. These simple songs turn memorization into music. Children sing, move, and play while learning essential facts. The doubles become automatic, freeing up mental space for more complex math. Through songs, games, and real-world connections, doubles facts become friends that children can count on.