Sorting Activities

Daniela, Jade, and Kaitlin

 Agenda

● What are sorting activities?

● How they help ELLs
● Standards
● Learning objectives
● Hook
● Activities
● Discussion
 What are Sorting Activities?

● Organizing Information in categories

● Activities that require students to sort objects, words,
phrases and sentences according to set parameters
 How can it help ELLs?

● Provide a way for students to manipulate objects and written symbols to show their
understanding of concept, while acquiring the vocabulary and structure needs for
verbal interaction
 Step-by-step

1. Identify skills to practice in sorting mode

2. Explain the activity
3. Set up the routine and requirements
4. Assess the students’ progress and understanding
 Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.5.A

Sort words into categories (e.g., colors, clothing) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories
represent.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.5.B

Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a
large cat with stripes)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.OA.C.6

Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies
such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading
to a ten (e.g., 13 - 4 = 13 - 3 - 1 = 10 - 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction
(e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 - 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums
(e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13).
 Content Objectives
SWBAT sort items using given parameters

SWBAT understand that each category has defining attributes that makes it unique
 Language Objectives

SWBAT justify the grouping of given objects into a category using precise
adjectives as individuals

SWBAT reason why a new item fits into each group’s parameters using target
vocabulary with a partner
 “I Can”

● I can sort items into groups

● I can explain why I put each item in its group
● I can think of a new object or word that would fit in my
group
 Hook
If you have...
Shoelaces No shoelaces
HUMAN SORT
 Hook
If you have...
Green on your No green on
shirt your shirt
 Hook
If you have...
Hair shorter than you Hair longer than
shoulder your shoulder
 Hook
If you have...
A first name A first name
beginning with A-L beginning with M-Z
 Activity 1- More or less than 10?
1. Solve each problem
2. Sort cards by answer
a. If the sum or difference is more than 10, put the
card in one pile
b. If the sum or difference is less than 10, put the
card in another pile
Activity 2: Interactive Animal Sort

1. Animals by habitat (Farm, Arctic/Antarctic, Jungle, Ocean, Forest)

2. Student Sort!
3. Number of legs
4. Size
5. Diet
 Activity 3 - Synonyms and Antonyms
Word Sort

1. Figure out the synonym or antonym of the word

2. Sort the different words in to two different
categories
 Questions
● What are some positives of sorting activities?
● What are some of the negatives?
● How do they support ELL students?
● Have you seen them used in the classroom?
● How might you use them in your future classroom?
● How might you use it in different grade levels? (lower elementary, upper
elementary, middle school and high school)
 Resources
Herrell, Adrienne L.; Jordan, Michael L.. Fifty Strategies for
Teaching English Language Learners (Page 116). Pearson
Education.