Activity Prep

1. Display the set of three empty laundry baskets in the front of the room and two baskets full of the same items for each group (e.g., Nerf balls, stuffed toys, etc.). An adult should deliberately choose items ahead of time so that they can be sorted by either color or use.

Activity

1. Explain to the children that, in the video they are about to watch, The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2 are going to remind them that there are many ways to sort. Play the video.
2. Hand out the first basket to each group. Point out that these objects can be sorted in many different ways, just like objects in the video clip.
3. Tell the groups that each child should grab an item from their first basket. First, they are going to sort by color. Each child should place their item in the corresponding basket at the front of the room and sit back down.
4. Empty the laundry baskets in the front of the room and set those items aside. Tell the groups to each grab an item from their second basket (it can be the same item as the first time or a different one). Now, they are going to sort by type of item (e.g., sports items, things you wear, art supplies, etc.). Each child should place their item in the corresponding basket at the front of the room and sit back down. Praise the children for their good work.

Considerations/Modifications/Extension Activities

1. For children that need additional assistance, have only two, large, empty baskets in front of the room and objects in each groups’ baskets that can be sorted as only one of two colors or uses.