In this sample activity from The Complete Resource Book for Preschoolers, by Pam Schiller and Kay Hastings, children sort a variety of feathers by different characteristics and place them in a sorting tray to record their results. There are some suggestions for questions to ask the children during the sorting process and ways to adapt the experience for children who are younger and older and. (author/nmb)
Patterns, Functions and Algebra for Early Childhood
Use Patterns, Relations and Functions
1.
Sort, order and classify objects by one attribute (e.g., size, color, shape, use).
Scientific Inquiry for Early Childhood
Doing Scientific Inquiry
7.
Begin to make comparisons between objects or organisms based on their characteristics (e.g., animals with four legs, smooth and rough rocks).
8.
Record or represent and communicate observations and findings through a variety of methods (e.g., pictures, words, graphs, dramatizations) with assistance.
Data Analysis and Probability for Early Childhood
Data Collection
1.
Gather, sort and compare objects by similarities and differences in the context of daily activities and play (e.g., leaves, nuts, socks).
2.
Place information or objects in a floor or table graph according to one attribute (e.g., size, color, shape or quantity).