In this activity students work with vocabulary encountered on the Fish and Physics web resource to demonstrate their understanding of related concepts. This activity can be used as a review prior to an assessment of the content learned. It can also be used to discover student thinking and errors in their thinking. Students work in teams or groups to organize and categorize concepts. 

Teacher Note: This activity is designed around the “Learn About” and “Explore Trends” page of the web resource. This activity is designed to use with groups of students. Allow approximately 15 minutes for students to group their vocabulary words into categories. If the teacher prefers, he/she can assign category titles and have the students organize the vocabulary words into those categories. 

Allow the student an opportunity to take a "gallery walk" if no category headings are assigned to view other groups thinking.

Objectives

• Students will demonstrate their understanding of concepts by organizing and categorizing vocabulary words
• Students will develop vocabulary skill and social skill by working collaboratively with classmates
• Students develop critical thinking skills by organizing information

Materials

• Copy of the Sort Card Activity-teachers should print on card stock, laminate and cut into cards.  You may want to increase the size of the cards using a photocopier prior to use. 
• Students arranged in groups
• Space in the room so students may take a "gallery walk."

Procedure

1. After reading the “Learn About” and “Explore Trends” page and completing the activities associated with those pages, check for student understanding.  
2. Students should be divided into groups or teams. Each group should be given a set of sort cards that have been laminated and cut into individual cards.  (This allows you to reuse the cards again and again)
3. Students work in teams to sort the words into categories. The categories can be created by the students, or the teacher can identify categories for student use.  
4. Once the sorting is complete, the students can take a tour around the room to observe and analyze the work of other groups. One student from each group stays behind at the base table to answer questions.  
5. Groups return to tables to discuss what was observed and to revise or add new ideas/categories.
6. Groups use the generated ideas and categories as a basis of further study or discussion.

National Science Education Standards

9-12 A: Science as Inquiry

• Understandings about scientific inquiry

9-12 B: Physical Science

• Structure and properties of matter
• Interactions of energy and matter

9-12 C: Life Science

• Interdependence of organisms 
• Matter, energy, and organization in living systems 
• Behavior of organisms 

9-12 E: Science and Technology

• Understandings about science and technology 

9-12 F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

• Population growth 
• Environmental quality 
• Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges 

9-12 G: History and Nature of Science

• Nature of scientific knowledge 

Lesson Resources

Sort Card Activity