Minds On

Which objects belong together?

Explore the following objects.

There is a paint can, a water bottle, an egg, a globe, a beach ball, a traffic cone, a drum, a piece of pie, and an ice cream cone.

Brainstorm

Brainstorm

How would you sort these objects into groups?

Record your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

If possible, share your thinking with a partner.

Action

Sorting objects

We can sort objects into groups to help us organize them.

When we create groups, we usually make up a rule for the group.

The rule is usually based on something that is the same about the objects.

Let’s examine the objects from the Minds On again.

There is a paint can, a water bottle, an egg, a globe, a beach ball, a traffic cone, a drum, a piece of pie, and an ice cream cone.

How did you group the items?

Examine the following chart that shows one way that we can group the items.

Have curved sides Have a point Have a flat top and bottom
A globe An ice cream cone A paint can
A beach ball A traffic cone A water bottle
An egg A piece of pie A drum

We can group objects together based on many different rules.

Some examples include:

  • how they feel
  • size
  • colour
  • number of sides
  • type of sides: straight or curved
  • if they roll

These rules help us find similarities between objects.

Does it roll?

Let’s sort some objects based on the following rule: rolls and does not roll.

Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.

Can you think of other objects that roll? What about objects that do not roll?

Use pictures, drawings, words, or another method of your choice to sort new objects that roll and do not roll.

If possible, share your thinking with a partner.

Guess my rule

Examine the objects in each group.

What is the same about the objects in each group?

Can you guess the sorting rule?

A drumA paint can An eggA beach ball

Press ‘Sorting Rule’ to find out one possible rule for sorting the objects.

The sorting rule could be objects with a flat surface, and objects with no flat surfaces.

Let’s try another one!

What is the same about the objects in each group?

Can you guess the sorting rule?

A collage of geometric shapes that all have triangular faces. A collage of geometric shapes that all have circular faces

What could the sorting rule be?

Press ‘Sorting Rule’ to find out one possible rule for sorting the objects.

The sorting rule could be objects with triangles as surfaces, and objects with circles as surfaces.

Objects with triangles as surfaces Objects with circles as surfaces
A square based pyramid with one of it’s triangle sides highlighted A 3D cone with the circular face highlighted

Consolidation

Sort the items

Sort the following objects into groups. You may also find your own objects to sort and group.

Describe the rule you used to create your groups.

A paint can, a water bottle, an egg, a globe, a house, a drum, a box, a beach ball, a fish in a bowl, a slice of cake, a pylon, and an ice cream cone

Test Your Skills

Test your skills

Can you think of another way to sort the same objects?

What is the new rule you used?

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.