Sorting Mammals and Birds

Kong Yang
Glacier Hills Elemenatry
Eagan, MN

Summary

In this activity, students will be working in pairs. With their partners, students will sort mammals into one pile and birds into another. After the students are finished sorting, discuss with the students how they sorted their animals.

Learning Goals

By the end of this activity, students will be able to observe and understand the differences between mammals and birds. This activity is designed for students to use a variety of skills including critical thinking, questioning and answering, and discussing.

Context for Use

This activity is designed for ELL or lower grade level students. It is designed for students to work in pairs and to help students practice discussing in a small settling. The allotted time for this activity will be about 30 minutes.

Description and Teaching Materials

Activity Description:

1. Have students work in groups of 2.
2. Hand each group 5 pictures of mammals and birds.
3. Give each group a blue and brown colored paper.
4. Tell the students that they need to take their pictures and put them in 2 different piles.
5. Make sure they know that they can only put their pictures on the brown or blue colored paper.
6. Tell the students that they have to work with their partner and decide where to put all the pictures.
7. Give the students about 12 minutes, with their partner, to sort the pictures into 2 piles.
8. Encourage the students to talk about where they are putting their pictures with their partner.


Materials:
5 pictures of 5 different mammals (native mammals to school environment)
5 pictures of 5 different birds (native birds to school environment)
1 blue colored paper
1 brown colored paper

Teaching Notes and Tips

1. Emphasize that the students shall work together with their partners.
2. Do not try to help the students sort. Give them that chance to do it themselves.
3. Encourage students to talk with their partners.

Assessment

After 12 – 15 minutes, have each group share how they decide to put all their pictures on the 2 pieces of paper. Then ask the students about the similarities and differences between their 2 piles.

Standards

1.4.1.1.1 - Describe and sort animals into groups in many ways, according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.

References and Resources