Math Lesson: Sorting

Math is suddenly more fun for students when they can use their iPod Touch but you may be wondering just how teachers are using these tools to enhance learning in the classroom.  Below is a sample lesson that was taught to my classroom of kindergarteners during our sorting unit.

iPod Touch Math Lesson

Background:  We are at the culminating point in our first math unit where the students have been learning to sort by color, shape, size, and kind.  This lesson will review the concept of sorting using an engaging, developmentally appropriate app on the iPod Touch.  *(The app is called Toddler Treasures but the name is deceiving.  It was developed for children 4+ and fits in perfectly with the SOLs that are being addressed).

Enduring understanding:  Sorting is a life skill that must be used to organize and implement numerous daily activities.  

Math SOLs

K.13 The student will compare the size (larger, smaller) and shape of plane geometric figures (circle, triangle, square, and rectangle).

K.17 The student will sort and classify objects according to similar attributes (size, shape, and color).

Language Arts SOLs

K.7 The student will develop an understanding of basic phonetic principles.

1. Identify and name the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet.

NOTE:  At the time of this lesson, the students will have encountered the iPods only twice.  They have been trained on how to turn the iPod on, navigate the pages, and treat the iPod carefully.  This is their first of many true experiences working with an iPod in a learning situation.

Process:  

1. Review sorting using the SmartBoard lesson that has been created.  The students will answer the following questions.  What is sorting? (putting things that are alike together, separating things that are different)  What are the ways we can sort?  (shape, color, size, and kind).  Students will view each of these ways they can sort on the SmartBoard lesson.  
2. The teacher will introduce the sorting app (Treasures Sorting) using the SmartBoard lesson.  There are two examples of sorting the students may see during their independent practice and a screen shot of the actual practice that they will be doing on their iPods.  
3. Students will sort themselves by kind to go get their iPods.  Girls will go to a designated area, boys will go to a designated area.  Students will then be dismissed to pick up their iPods and bring them back to the rug to get further directions.  
4. Students will have an opportunity to turn on their iPods and find the assigned app.  They will be reminded that some days they can choose an app to play but today  they should ONLY be using the requested app for today’s lesson.  
5. Students will practice sorting on their iPods for 10 minutes and the teacher will set a timer.  When the timer goes off, the students will be asked to turn off their iPods and put them back in their cases.

CLOSURE:  

After clean-up of iPods, students will sort themselves based on whether they thought the app was hard or easy.  They will put their iPods back in their cubbies and come back to the rug.  

Assessment:  

While the children are using their iPods, the teacher will circulate the classroom and observe children’s interactions with the sorting app on the iPod.  If the teacher notices that a child is having difficulty, she will help the child.   After school, the teacher will collect more formal data about the independent sorting practice using the tool on the iPod that records how many a player sorted correctly.  

SmartBoard Lesson Visuals from Process Step 1:

                    

                                                           Slide to demonstrate how to complete the upcoming task. 

                         

                                                                          Slide 2 to demonstrate upcoming task.

Slide to show what the actual app looks like.