Context of the Standard

Objects and actions have attributes; these attributes allow people to group items. Attributes may be physical properties such as color, shape, form, texture, and size. Actions may be categorized as movement such as those seen in step-by-step sequences (algorithms). Actions include back and forth movement, turning, and stopping. Categorizing relies on careful observation of patterns and similarities and differences.  These similarities and differences can be used to categorize using both unplugged activities and computer devices.  In this standard, students are expected to group items on one or two attributes or actions.

In the science and mathematics standards the term classify is used when grouping objects or organisms based on one or more attributes. In block based programming environments, commands are grouped into categories based on function. In higher level programming languages, the kind or type of data determines the classification.

Essential Skills

Essential Questions

Essential Vocabulary

Students should demonstrate these skills:

• Sort and group (classify) objects into appropriate groups (categories) based on one or two attributes.
• Label attributes of a set of objects that has been sorted.
• Name multiple ways to sort a set of objects.

Students should investigate these concepts:

• Why is it useful to organize objects into categories?
• (Given a set of objects/drawings): What are ways to group these objects or actions? What attributes did you use to group these objects or actions?
• (Given a set of objects/drawings): What attributes do you think a person used to group these objects? What is another way you can group these objects?
• (Given assorted objects) How would you group these items using two different attributes?

Students should be introduced to these concepts:

• Attribute