Grades 2–3
How Many Syllables? Word Sort
Clap it out: sort twelve words into 1, 2 and 3 syllables, from frog to butterfly.
Classroom activity · Cut-and-paste sorting activities
Living or Nonliving? Sort
Twelve cards to sort into living and nonliving things, with a reminder of what all living things need.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–2
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Classifying, Fine motor skills, Explaining reasoning
What kids do
“Cut out the cards. Is it alive? Glue it under Living or Nonliving.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Living things grow, need food and water, and make more of their own kind.
Words on this sheet
Livingtreecarwormcactusdogrockspoonpenguinchairflowerballshoe
Teacher tip
Review what all living things need: food, water, air and to grow.
How to use it
- Have kids sort the cards on their desk before gluing anything.
- Check the sort quickly before kids glue.
- Model the first move or the first answer on the document camera.
Watch for
Kids who glue too soon. Have them check the sort with a partner first.
Talk about it
- How did you decide where each card goes?
- What strategy did you use?
Take it further
Have kids add a card of their own to each group.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More cut-and-paste sorting activities
Grades 2–3
Past, Present or Future? Verb Sort
Twelve verbs to sort by time: jumped and swam, sings and is drawing, will run and will bake.
Grades K–1
Vowel or Consonant? Letter Sort
Twelve letter cards to sort: the five vowels and seven consonants. Sing the vowel song while you glue!
Grades K–1
Day or Night? Sort
Sun, recess and bees, or moon, owls and pajamas? Read twelve words and sort them into day and night.
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