How to Make a Sorting Spinner Using a Clothespin

Learning Goals:

• Identify objects’ characteristics (attributes) 
  
• Sort objects into groups based on the same or different attributes 

Materials:

• Paper plate or cardboard construction paper 
  
• Small piece of cardboard  
  
• Clothespin  
  
• Toothpick 
  
• Clear tape 
  
• Scissors 
  
• Miscellaneous small objects of different colors, sizes, shapes, and types (e.g., toys, utensils, etc.) 

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step 1: Draw a cross on your paper plate to create four equal sections. If you don’t have a paper plate, you can cut a circle out of construction paper.
  
• Step 2: Label the four sections. In each section, write one of the following attributes: Color, Size, Shape, Type. 
  
• Step 3: Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of the paper plate. 
  
• Step 4: Cut out a small piece of cardboard the same length as the clothespin and the width of two clothespins. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of the cardboard (make sure the toothpick goes all the way through). 
  
• Step 5: Carefully cut off both ends of the toothpick using scissors. 
  
• Step 6: Align the holes in the cardboard and paper plate and insert the toothpick through both holes. Make sure the cardboard is on the back of the paper plate. 
  
• Step 7: Tape the cardboard onto the paper plate. 
  
• Step 8: Slide the clothespin onto the toothpick, on the side of the paper plate. 
  
• Step 9: Play the game! Hold the spinner from the toothpick on the back and start spinning. Sort miscellaneous objects around the house, like toys, utensils, or other household objects, based on the attribute the spinner landed on.

Game Tips:

• Spin twice to sort by two attributes. For example, sort the objects by color AND size.
• Guess the attribute. Organize your objects and have someone else guess how you categorize them. 

Keep the conversation going:

Here are some conversation starters to help incorporate math talk while playing the game: 

• How are these objects similar or different? (Talk about the characteristics of the object!)
• Why did you sort these objects into those groups?
• What is another way that you can sort this group? 

Book suggestion:

• “Sort it Out!” / “¡Clasifícalo!” (Ages 4-7) by Barbara Mariconda. In this book, your child will learn about sorting with Packrat the rat who likes collecting objects and sorting them by their different attributes.  

Corresponding Standards:

• Common Core State Standards for Kindergarten 
  
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.B.4. Analyze and compare two-and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts (e.g., number of sides and vertices/ “corner”) and other attributes (e.g., having sides of equal length). 
• California Preschool Learning Foundations 
  
  • Algebra and Functions (classification and Patterning) 
    
    • 1.0 Classification