Students will sort a collection of objects into groups based on one observable attribute (color, size, shape, or type).

Sorting means organizing objects into groups based on shared characteristics. At Pre-K level, children sort by one attribute at a time.

Attributes (Characteristics)

An attribute is a feature or quality of an object:
- Color: red, blue, yellow, green, etc.
- Size: big, small, large, tiny
- Shape: circle, square, triangle, rectangle
- Type: cars, blocks, animals, fruits

Sorting Process

1. Look at all the objects
2. Choose one attribute to sort by
3. Find all objects that match
4. Put them together in a group
5. Find objects with different attributes
6. Put those in separate groups

Vocabulary Development

Sort: Organize into groups
Group: Objects that go together
Same: Having matching attributes
Different: Having unlike attributes
Belongs: Fits in a particular group
Matches: Is the same as

Sorting skills help with:
- Organization and cleanup
- Pattern recognition
- Classification in science
- Logical thinking
- Preparing for data analysis

Start Simple

Begin with very obvious differences:
- Sort by color: red vs. blue
- Sort by size: big vs. small
- Sort by type: cars vs. blocks

Use Real Objects

Provide concrete manipulatives:
- Attribute blocks
- Colored bears or counters
- Toy vehicles
- Buttons
- Natural objects (leaves, shells, rocks)
- Pictures cut from magazines

Model the Process

"I'm going to sort these by color. All the red ones go here. All the blue ones go here. This one is red, so it belongs in this group."

Open-Ended Sorting

After direct instruction, ask:
- "How could you sort these?"
- "What did you notice?"
- "Why did you put those together?"

Accept all logical sorting schemes!

Sort by Color

"Put all the red blocks here and all the blue blocks here."

Sort by Size

"Make a group of big bears and a group of small bears."

Sort by Shape

"Find all the circles. Now find all the squares."

Sort by Type

"Put the cars together and the trucks together."

• Cleanup time: toys by type
• Laundry: lights vs. darks, or by person
• Groceries: fruits vs. vegetables
• Art supplies: crayons, markers, pencils
• Nature walk: leaves, rocks, sticks
• Snacks: crackers, fruit, vegetables

Switching attributes mid-sort
Child starts sorting by color, then switches to size.

Solution: Remind of the chosen attribute. "We're sorting by color. Where do red ones go?"

Objects with multiple attributes
A small red circle might confuse children learning to focus on one attribute.

Solution: Start with objects that differ in only one way.

Mastery indicators:
- Sorts a mixed collection by one attribute independently
- Can explain sorting rule: "These are all blue"
- Recognizes when an object doesn't belong: "That's not red, it goes over there"
- Stays focused on one attribute throughout the sort
- Accepts corrections and self-corrects

Support:
- Use only 2 attribute values (red vs. blue only)
- Provide fewer objects (5-8 instead of 20)
- Use very obvious differences
- Sort for the child, then have them add one object
- Provide labeled sorting mats or trays

Extension:
- Sort by less obvious attributes (texture, material)
- Create their own sorting rules
- Sort into 3 or 4 groups (not just 2)
- Find multiple ways to sort the same collection
- Explain their sorting rule to others

Families can practice:
- Sorting laundry together
- Organizing toys by type
- Sorting groceries when unpacking
- Making groups at mealtime ("All the round foods")
- Nature sorting: collections from outdoors
- Button sorting
- Sorting silverware when setting the table

Sorting builds foundational math skills:
- Pattern recognition
- Classification
- Data collection (count each group)
- Logical reasoning
- Set theory (groups and membership)

Scientists sort all the time:
- Classifying animals (mammals, birds, fish)
- Organizing plants (trees, flowers, grasses)
- Sorting rocks and minerals
- Grouping by living vs. non-living

• Attribute blocks or pattern blocks
• Colored counters or bears
• Collections of small toys
• Buttons (various colors and sizes)
• Natural objects (shells, rocks, leaves)
• Pictures from magazines
• Sorting trays or mats (optional)

• Supervise small objects (choking hazard)
• Use age-appropriate materials
• Ensure sharp objects are not included
• Clean shared manipulatives regularly

Sorting skills develop:
1. Sort into 2 groups by obvious attribute
2. Sort into 3-4 groups by one attribute
3. Sort by less obvious attributes
4. Explain sorting rules clearly
5. Create own sorting categories
6. Eventually: sort by two attributes (Module 3, Topic 8)