This week I chose to explore a lesson that involves sorting.  I think this is a great way to introduce sorting to children and connect it to math.  I would use this lesson also as a way to encourage working together and sharing ideas.  I like how when the children are going to sort the crayons by color, size, type, and shape, the lesson notes that children might interpret the categories differently, and use this as an opportunity to engage in math talk.  

Another thing I like about this lesson is that it suggests that students will need "multiple sorting experiences" in the early grades.  I think in addition to teaching and talking about "how to sort", it would be fun to make bins of items to be sorted, that children can access in the classroom.  During free time, children could pick a bin, take it to his/her desk, and look/touch the items and let practice sorting other items by color, size, type, and shape.  

Properties Everywhere

Unit:Amazing Attributes 
Grade: PreK to 2nd
Periods: 1
Author: Grace M. Burton

Materials

• Chart paper
• Small bowls for each working group
• Crayons or pencils (or a small alternative) to sort
• Objects to Sort Recording Sheet

Instructional Plan

While students remain in their seats, ask them to identify things within the classroom that can be sorted and to name specific attributes to guide the sorting. Some examples students might suggest are the following:

• Things to sort by color: crayons, markers, papers, hair color, eye color, backpacks, and clothes
• Things to sort by shape: tables, books, blocks
• Things to sort by size: books, students, pencils, and shoes.

Record and post this information on a chart for future reference. The format provided on the Objects to Sort Recording Sheet will familiarize students with the recording format.

Give small groups of students bowls of crayons or pencils. Have students sort the crayons however they wish (be vague on purpose, so that the groups' results will vary). While students are doing this, circulate the room and make note of all the different ways groups are sorting.

After students have finished sorting, display one group's sorting results. Ask the class if they can guess how this group sorted their objects. Have students defend their answers.

Objects to Sort Recording Sheet

https://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Lessons/Resources/preK-2/271-AS-ObjectSort.pdf

Distribute the Objects to Sort Recording Sheet (one copy per group). Invite students to complete the sheet by using more specific sorting rules. Students will have to sort the crayons by such the following categories:

• Color (they can mark the crayon onto the paper)
• Size (students may use length, width, or both)
• Type (ex: crayons with and without wrapping)
• Shape (ex: crayons with tips vs. those that resemble cylindrical cylinders)

Note that students may interpret the categories differently, which is acceptable. This will be a good opportunity to engage students in math talk.

Depending on the time available for class, use the Questions for Students to wrap up the lesson, or move onto the next lesson, Alike and Different.

Assessments and Extensions

Assessments

1. The guiding questions help students focus on the mathematics and aid you in understanding the students’ level of knowledge and skill with the mathematical concepts of this lesson.
2. One of the assessment tools provided is a recording sheet entitled Class Notes. It is helpful to record students’ current level of understanding as a way to plan instruction and to monitor and measure their growth toward meeting the learning objectives. Documenting information about students’ understanding throughout the lesson can help you focus on each student’s needs and strengths and thus increase students’ learning opportunities. 
   Class Notes
3. https://www.nctm.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Lessons/Resources/ClassNotes.pdf

Extensions 

1. Many students in the early grades will need multiple sorting experiences. You may wish to ask students to use these procedures as they sort other objects such as small toys, models of vegetables or fruits, jewelry, keys, tops for containers, bread clips, and coins.
2. Have students think about other categories that they can sort by. For example, people can be sorted by gender, eye color, hair color, etc.

 

Questions and Reflections

Questions for Students

[All answers will vary.] 

1. What kinds of shoes do you have at your house? (Encourage students to look at their own shoes and think about shoes they have at home such as dress shoes, mom’s high-heeled shoes, basketball shoes, slippers, and sandals.)
2. What was your rule for sorting? Why did you choose it?
3. Could you use one other rule that is different from the one you used?
4. Could you use more than one property or attribute for sorting?
5. What things could you sort at home? (Students might name toys, clothes, groceries, shoes, etc.)
6. Do you sort objects at home by where they belong? If so, where? Answers might include the pantry, drawers, toy chest, and so forth.

Teacher Reflection

1. Which management strategies were most effective?
2. Which management strategies were least effective?
3. Which students met all the objectives of this lesson? What extension activities are appropriate for those students?
4. Which students did not meet the objectives of this lesson? What instructional experiences do they need next? What mathematical ideas need clarification?
5. What adjustments would you make the next time you teach this lesson?

 

Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Identify how items are sorted by color, size, type and shape.
• Defend their reasoning for sorting.

 

Common Core State Standards – Mathematics

Pre K to 2nd

• Kindergarten
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7
  Look for and make use of structure.
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8
  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Pre K to 2nd

• Grade 1
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7
  Look for and make use of structure.
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8
  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Pre K to 2nd

• Grade 2
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7
  Look for and make use of structure.
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8
  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Common Core State Standards – Practice

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7
  Look for and make use of structure.

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8
  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Related Resources

	Grandma's Button Box Grade: PreK to 2nd Identify properties, and sort, classify, organize, and display data.
	Alike and Different Grade: PreK to 2nd Students compare objects to build ideas about variables.
	Naming Rows and Columns Grade: PreK to 2nd Model how to organize data and use the vocabulary associated with collecting, organizing, and displaying data.
	Show and Tell Grade: PreK to 2nd Describe graphs using appropriate vocabulary, and develop skills in posing and responding to questions about graphs.