Focus on the Standards

It's Wednesday, and here at Preschool Ponderings, that means time to focus on the standards.  Every Wednesday I choose an Early Learning Standard and share a number of activities that can be aligned with that particular standard.  Remember, the Standards that I use every day, and am most comfortable with are Ohio's Early Learning Development Standards - you can review them here, however I've found that even if your State's standards differ, many of these activities can still be aligned similarly. I've rounded up some great ideas today!

Domain: Mathematics
Strand: Algebra
Topic: Group and Categorize

Algebra is all about patterns, but before you can begin recognizing and creating patterns children have to be able to be able to sort and classify objects by different attributes.  Recognizing the differences and similarities in objects requires children to pay attention to attributes such as color, shape, and size, all of which are necessary for patterning. Here are some fun ideas for grouping and categorizing; 

Sort shape blocks with the help of shape sorting mats. From A Place Called Kindergarten

Sort different sized pom poms (use tongs for extra fine motor practice!) From Prekinders

Sort buttons by color, from About Family Crafts

Sort pom poms by color - these tubes would be so much fun! From I Can Teach My Child

Sort photos of real objects by color. From Living Montessori Now

Sort Fruit Loops by color. From Mess for Less

If it's in your classroom you can sort it. I love to use divided trays and muffin tins to sort small objects because they keep everything in one place.  My kiddos also love to sort food (they like anything that has to do with food), we've done different size marshmallows, colors of jellybeans, even different snacks inside of a bag of chex mix, and different colors of dried beans.  What do your students enjoy sorting? Share your thoughts in the comments!