Materials
Small items made of wood, plastic and metal Large tray or flannel board3 bowls
Instructions
Sorting is an essential skill, but many children have only sorted objects according to color, shape and size, limiting their ability to see other attributes or properties. In this activity, the children sort items that are made of different materials.
1. Gather a large collection of odds and ends and put them out in a large basket with a tray.
2. Allow time for free exploration of the new items.
3. Introduce these words: wood, metal, plastic. For many children, these words are new. They can begin to label other items in the room according to what kind of material they are made from.
4. Place the items on a large tray or flannel board and put out three bowls or three circles of yarn. Allow the children to sort the items.
5. Encourage them to sort the items by other attributes.