RockLicker · Grade 1 · Lesson 2 of 5

Sort It Your Way

Sort the same collection by two different visible properties and explain the rule.

  • Grade 1
  • 30 minutes
  • Worksheet + teacher guidance
Back to Grade 1

What you will learn

A sorting rule groups things that share a property. The same rocks can belong to different groups when the rule changes.

Words to use

  • sort: put into groups
  • property: a detail used to describe

Work through the activity

  1. 5 min · Name a ruleSpread out the samples. Choose one easy rule, such as light versus dark color or rounded versus angular shape. Say your rule aloud.
  2. 10 min · Make groupsPlace or draw each sample in a group. If a rock has several colors, discuss the choice instead of forcing certainty. Give an unsure sample its own place.
  3. 10 min · Change the ruleMix the samples again and sort by a different property. Notice which samples move to another group.
  4. 5 min · ExplainAsk a partner to guess your second rule. Tell them what detail helped you decide.
RockLicker
GRADE 1 · LESSON 2

Sort It Your Way

Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.
Draw on the printed sheet or write, type or dictate your response.

Responses stay in this open page only. Print before closing or changing pages; no student record is stored online.

Check your understanding

Can the same rock move groups when the sorting rule changes?

Teacher & family guide · answers and assessment

Grade 1 · Sort It Your Way

Learning goal: Sort the same collection by two different visible properties and explain the rule.

Expected responses

  1. Accept a consistent visible property; rock names are not required.
  2. Groups should follow the stated first rule, allowing an unsure category.
  3. Accept a different property and an example of regrouping.
  4. A multicolored or partly rounded rock can reasonably be difficult. Discuss the evidence.

Understanding check: Yes, because the rule changed. A sample can be dark by color and rounded by shape. Different rules create different groups.

Watch for this misconception

A group is a useful comparison, not proof that every rock in it has the same origin.

Assess the evidence

Look for the observations, calculation or explanation named in the learning goal. Accept accurate drawings and dictated responses. Use the expected responses to discuss reasoning; a correct guess without explanation is a starting point for another conversation.

Adapt and extend

Read prompts aloud, enlarge print or let a partner record the learner’s explanation. Let a partner invent a third rule and predict where one sample will go.