Level: K-2
Subject: Plants (Wildflowers)
Materials: Various colors of construction paper cut into 2" x 2" squares. Suggested colors would be white, yellow, purple, pink and red. These would be common wildflower colors.
Objective: The students will be able to sort a pile of color squares by color and then by one other attribute. They will then be able to label the different groups they have created.
Overview
When identifying wildflowers in nature the first thing one does is to look at the color. Looking at the design of the petals, leaves and other parts of the flower comes next. This lesson is designed to help students "key out" by color and then by other attributes which is a beginning skill necessary to begin identifying wildflowers.
Procedure
When the paper has been cut, draw a small black circle on half of the squares in each color group and a small triangle on the other hall ( This should be done on both sides of the squares.)
Divide the students into groups of 4. Pass out a handful of colored squares of various colors. (About 30 per group.) Tell the students that they are to sort their squares according to color. When all groups have been successful have a discussion about how to sort these small groups into even smaller groups. They will then notice the circles and triangles on the squares. Have the groups sort accordingly. When all groups have been successful with this, discuss how each group could be labeled. Guide them to using labels that would describe the attributes of each group. An example would be the "red, triangle group", or the "white, circle group".
Evaluation
Culminate the activity by discussing where in nature they would find these colors and what other colors do they notice in nature.
Extension
Continue to sort other objects by different attributes such as shape, design, size, texture, etc. The students especially enjoy bringing in their own collections of things to be sorted.
Source
Joy Javorka, Lilian Peterson Elementary School, Kalispell, Montana