A suggestion on how to use sorting mats: Six students sit at a table grouping (2 students on of three sides) in the science lab. Three tubs of items with a different mat on each tub are placed at each table (see below.) Students work with the tub and mat with their "elbow" partner. When I ring the bell, students place the items back in the tub and rotate the mat and tub clockwise. I model this before we start and have students point to where they will pass the tubs.
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| Tubs and sorting mats are in the center of the table when students arrive. Students return the items to the center for the next class. I see a new class every 30 min. |
I printed out multiple copies of each sorting mat, glued them to construction paper and laminated them for multiple uses. All of the shiny/dull mats are on the same color of paper while the big/small mats are on a different color.
Materials: Each tub of items is unique. Some of the items I included are...
- popsicle sticks, paint sticks
- paper clips, clothes pins
- various colors, shapes, and sizes of rocks and shells
- jar lids, mint tins
- CDs, small aluminum pie tins, metal washers, bolts
- cotton balls, pipe cleaners, corks
- pine cones
K-2 Science & Engineering Practices
Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing data in K-2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to collecting, recording, and sharing observations.
Kindergarten Common Core Math Standards
MP.2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
K.MD.A.1. Describe measureable attributes of objects such as length or weight. Describe several measurable attributes of a single object.
K.MD.A.2 Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has “more of/less of” the attribute, and describe the difference.
First Grade Common Core Math Standards
MP.2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively