Math: Sorting in September

During the month we will focus on Sorting as one of our math concepts. We will continue to revisit this math concept throughout the year. At home this skill can be practiced and reinforced too.

SORTING FOR LIFE

BENEFITS

Early experiences in sorting and classifying objects around the house can help prepare children for organizing data into meaningful categories.

TIP!

Children can often explain how they sorted objects but may have difficulty understanding how others have sorted the objects.

• Begin by thinking of a simple sorting rule (such as “Everything in the group is blue”), and sort some objects according to the rule. Ask your child to guess the rule. Reverse roles.

• Encourage your child to sort household items – crayons by colour, cutlery by type or shape, materials for the recycling box or items in the refrigerator and cupboard.

• Have your child sort objects into two groups: those that have a certain characteristic and those that do not (for example, a group of clothes that go on hangers and a group of clothes that do not). Talk about your child’s thinking by asking, “How did you sort these?” “How are the objects the same? Different?” “Can you sort these another way?”

Ontario Ministry of Education
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentguidenum2012.pdf