Curated OER
Seeds in Fall...Collect Them All!
Classify seeds by attributes such as size, shape and color! Learners classify seeds using a dichotomous key. They identify human behaviors that have a positive impact on preserving seed and plant biodiversity.
Perkins School for the Blind
Matching Like Objects
Same and different, sorting, and tactile discrimination are what's on the agenda for today. The class practices sorting objects and attempts to determine which objects are the same and different and why. The purpose is to increase...
Inside Mathematics
Conference Tables
Pupils analyze a pattern of conference tables to determine the number of tables needed and the number of people that can be seated for a given size. Individuals develop general formulas for the two growing number patterns and...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
What’s the Smallest Thing You Know?
Elementary learners listen to a story, then sort objects from largest to smallest at six different stations around the classroom. Adaptable for a large range of age and ability groups.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Virus Explorer
Most pupils know about the flu, HIV, and other viruses, but they don't know what each actually looks like. This interactive shows their relative size, structure, and allows for comparisons. It stresses the similarities and differences...
Center for Learning in Action
Density
Explore the concept of density within states of matter—gases, liquids, and solids—through a group experiment in which young scientists test objects' texture, color, weight, size, and ability to sink or float.
August House
Billy Brown and the Belly Button Beastie
How would you feel if you lost your belly button? Read about Billy Brown in Billy Brown and the Belly Button Beastie by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk. Young learners retell the story, answer questions, focus on the letter B and...
Curated OER
That's So Square
Second graders are introduced to circles, triangles and parallelograms. As a class, they create the shape with their bodies and are shown the shapes in their actual size. To end the lesson, they sketch each shape and identify their...
Curated OER
To Classify Beans And Peas
First graders record information on a bar graph and interpret the information given. They identify five different kinds of beans and three different kinds of peas. They work in groups of four and sort the beans by size or shape.
Curated OER
Venn Diagram with Blocks
Fifth graders classify blocks according to their attributes. In this math lesson, 5th graders will identify attributes of blocks, sort them, then form the groups into a Venn Diagram, and write ratios using the attributes.
Curated OER
Big Bones, Little Bones
Students investigate archeology. In this archeology instructional activity, students research the process of excavation. Students participate in a mock-excavation and sort objects by physical properties.
Curated OER
Look At Those Leaves!
Students sort tree leaves. For this plant biology lesson, students collect leaves and group them according to size, shape, and color. Students discuss their observations.
Curated OER
The Great Button Sort
Learners practice figuring out how items have been sorted. They also sort buttons in small cooperative groups. They color and sort their own paper buttons and then give their button sort to another student to see if he or she can figure...
Curated OER
Sort It Out
Students study classification systems by sorting Legos and determining how the different pieces are classified. They list as many attributes as possible to use for sorting.
Curated OER
Look At Those Leaves
Students observe leaves. In this plant biology instructional activity, students examine leaves and classify them according to size, shape, and color. Students learn more about the leaves by visiting suggested websites.
Curated OER
Animals Around the World
Students study different kinds of animals and what group they belong to. In this animal classification activity students view different animals and sort them by what group they belong to, for example a snake is in the reptile...
Curated OER
Body Balance
Examine measurable characteristics of objects to build an understanding of the different ways you can discuss an object's size when comparing it to other objects. After whole group instruction, the class compares and organizes several...
Curated OER
4.2: Exploring Rocks
Students collect and look at rocks and write down information about them in science notebooks. They make comparisons and sort the rocks according to their properties, and then discuss their findings with their classmates and put them on...
Curated OER
Apples Aplenty
Students identify a variety of apples. In this agriculture lesson, students examine various types of apples and sort them according to attributes. Students describe the apple and create a word web. As an extension activity, students...
Curated OER
Rocks
Students examine and classify various types of rocks. For this rock identification lesson, students complete a KWL chart about rocks and then read Let's Go Rock Collecting. Students go on a walk to collect rocks and then...
Curated OER
Solids in the Playground
First graders locate and identify solids in the schoolyard. In this geometric solids lesson, 1st graders locate two solids on the playground. They work as a group to compare and contrast them according to shape, texture, weight, size,...
Curated OER
What is a bird?
Learners sort birds by their physical characteristics. In this bird characteristics lesson, students review bird characteristics and create beaks. Learners discuss birds as pets.
Curated OER
What is It? Susie Sees!
Students explore the five senses. In this cross curriculum five senses instructional activity, students view an "I Can See Colors" PowerPoint presentation and sort items by color and shape. Students mix primary color paints to...
Curated OER
Biodiversity
Students investigate the diversity of temperate forests and tropical rainforests. They catch and observe local insects, sort leaves and insects on a chart, listen to the book "A Walk in the Rainforest," and create a class bar graph that...