Sorting is a critical and fundamental skill required in many different subjects, including Math and English. These types of activities help teach children how things are alike and how they are different. There are multiple approaches to teach sorting activities in the classroom. Creating storyboards enables students to add a visual component to any sorting activity.
A sorting board has many variations, but typically they have at least two categories or classifications that the students have to divide items into. Depending on the students’ ages and abilities, there may be more than two categories.
Sorting Board Activity Options
There are many variations when it comes to sorting boards in general. There are also different ways of incorporating storyboards into your sorting boards! These can also easily be transformed into sorting games and can vary depending on the student's skill level.
- Teacher-created template online to be filled out by the student using a computer.
- Teacher-created, printable sorting board to be filled out by student on paper.
- Teacher assigned categories for the student to create accompanying sorting board on the computer.
Teacher Created, Student User
The teacher created, student user option is ideal for students who have basic computer skills and are familiar with Storyboard That. With this concept, the teacher would create the sorting board ahead of time and share it with the students to use on the computer in Storyboard That.
Here is a basic example of the type of board the teacher would create for the students to complete. It was created using the Traditional layout with three cells.
The students would drag the items from the middle cell into the correct cell on either side. To submit their work, they can save and print it or the teacher can check their work on the computer.
Teacher Created Printable Sorting Boards
More often than not, a sorting board activity is a hands-on approach with the students physically placing the items in the correct categories. This type of approach is ideal for younger students or students who are not as well verse with computers.
Using the Traditional layout, this storyboard should be four cells. In the example below, students will be sorting colored objects, such as craft pom-poms.
Of course the number of cells, layouts, and titles can be created to best fit whatever type of sorting objects you are using!
Teacher tip: If it’s a sorting board that can be used repetitively, laminate it. It will last a lot longer.
Teacher Guided, Student Created
This type of activity is great for students who are capable of a little more abstract thinking. The students would need to have some independent computer skills or at least sufficient enough with minimal teacher intervention. The idea behind this sorting activity is for the teachers to either give the students a list of items for them to create a sorting board, creating the categories on their own, or to give the students the categories and have them come up with their own objects that fit in the categories. This encourages a higher level of thinking.
How to Create Sorting Boards with Storyboard That
Determine the Sorting Categories
Identify the categories or classifications that you want to use for the sorting activity. Decide how many categories you want to have and what items or characteristics the students will be sorting.
Choose a Sorting Board Template
Access Storyboard That and select the Traditional layout to create your sorting board. Choose a template with the desired number of cells for your categories. Alternatively, start with a blank canvas to create a custom sorting board.
Add Category Titles
In each cell, add the title or label for each category. This will help students understand where to place the items in the sorting board.
Add Items to Sort
In the middle cell or cells, add the items or characteristics that the students will be sorting. These can be images, text, or a combination of both. Make sure the items are representative of the categories and clearly distinguishable.
Customize and Personalize
Customize the sorting board to fit your preferences and the needs of your students. Adjust the layout, font, and colors to enhance visual appeal and clarity. Consider using visuals from Storyboard That's image library to make the sorting board engaging and visually appealing.
Save, Print, or Share
Once you have completed the sorting board, save it on Storyboard That for future use. Depending on your preference and the resources available, you can print out the board for hands-on sorting activities or share it digitally with your students to complete online. Ensure that the instructions for sorting are clear and provide any necessary guidelines or criteria for the activity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Making Sorting Boards With Storyboards
What are sorting boards, and how do they help in learning?
Sorting boards are a visual tool that can help learners categorize and organize information. They consist of a set of pictures or symbols that can be grouped together based on specific criteria. Sorting boards can help learners develop their cognitive, social, and language skills and enhance their understanding of complex concepts.
What are some tips for creating effective sorting boards using storyboards?
To create effective sorting boards using storyboards, it is important to select appropriate images that can be easily sorted and categorized. Images should be clear, visually appealing, and relevant to the learning objectives. It is also important to ensure that the categories are clearly defined and that the sorting criteria are consistent throughout the board. Finally, it is helpful to include descriptive text or labels for each image to provide context and support learning.
What are some ways to use sorting boards in the classroom?
Sorting boards can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom, depending on the learning objectives and the age and skill level of the students. For example, they can be used to teach vocabulary, sorting skills, and social skills. Teachers can also use sorting boards to facilitate group work and encourage collaboration and communication among students.
Can sorting boards be used for assessment purposes?
Yes, sorting boards can be used for assessment purposes to evaluate students' understanding of a particular concept or skill. Teachers can use sorting boards to assess students' ability to categorize and organize information, identify patterns, and make connections between different ideas. Sorting boards can also be used to evaluate students' problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
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