Formative Assessment

Can students distinguish between objects and the materials they are made of?

Observe students as they work in groups and listen to their small group discussion. Look and listen for evidence that they can distinguish objects from the materials they are made of.

Use these criteria to interpret students' work:

• Do they create sorting categories based on kind of material (metal, plastic, wood products, rubber) and not objects (spoons)?
• Is there a group for every object?
• Do students recognize that some objects made of more than 1 material (covered wire, pencil) and how do they deal with these? (stretch across groups, create category called "more than 1 material")

Your next step might create a new set of sorting categories for the same collection of items students used; ask students to use a stickie note to "agree" or "disagree" with your sorting scheme and explain their reasoning.