Lessons & Units :: Classify and Categorize 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 1: Sorting into Two Groups

Lesson Plan

We are All Alike . . . We are All Different | 70L

We are All Alike . . . We are All Different
Learning Goal
Classify and categorize items into two categories.
Explain how items were classified and categorized.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: We are All Alike . . . We are All Different by the Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergartners, scissors, glue

  • Teacher Modeling

    will read aloud We are All Alike . . . We are All Different by the Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergartners. I will explain how people can be sorted into different groups based on hair color, eye color, height, or families, etc. I will model sorting students into different groups based on shirt color and shoe color.

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How did I sort students into groups?" Students should respond that you thought of groups that students could fit into and then put students into a group that were all the same in a certain way.

  • Guided Practice

    will sort ourselves into two groups based on height: short and tall.

  • Independent Practice

    will look at the pictures of children and sort them into two groups. You will name each group with a title that explains how you sorted the pictures. (Independent Practice Worksheets are provided.)

    TIP: Provide struggling students with a list of possible categories for the Independent Practice.

Build Student Vocabulary alike

Tier 2 Word: alike
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story We are all Alike . . . We are all Different
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Alike means having things in common. When we say that people are alike, we mean that they have qualities that are the same or similar.
Students repeat the word Say the word alike with me: alike.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts Cats and dogs are alike, because they are both pets. I saw two blue t-shirts that were alike.
Students provide examples What can you think of that makes us alike? Start by saying, “We are all alike because ____________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? alike
Additional Vocabulary Words pretend, trailers

Build Student Background Knowledge

Pause after reading p. 22. Explain to students that the word "country" can have different meanings. When someone says, "I live in the country," they mean that they do not live in the city. They live in wide-open spaces, often with farms or ranches and many animals. In the city, many more people live in spaces that are close together. Share a picture of the countryside. Then, explain that when people say, "I love my country," they mean the nation that they live in, like the United States of America. Point to a country on a map in the classroom.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

User Comments

Responding to edna recana regarding tech lessons: The readwork resources can be put in smartboard presentations and done in whole group sessions or you can provide the resources using QR codes and have students work independently. The great resources are there. Your provide the technology! I hope this was helpful.

Submitted by miman on 2/28/16

Thankful for all the great resources

Submitted by bklugger_1659689 on 2/17/16

ReadWorks.org is a very helpful site for teachers. It makes my work easier. i hope you could also include lessons about technology for elementary grades.

Submitted by edna.recana_1756963 on 12/2/15