Questions/instructions:

In this activity you are going to work together. Here is a bag of different objects. The objects are all muddled up in one bag. Soon, I am going to ask you to sort them into different groups. Show students bag of materials. There are many different ways that we can group objects. You will need to think carefully about how you will group these objects. Think about what materials they are made of and what is special about each object. Think about what they look like and what they feel like. You can also test the objects to see what you can learn about them. We have some water and a magnet that you can use for this. You need to put these objects into four different groups, and then say why the objects in each group belong together. First of all I want you to work in pairs. [A1 and A2] are to work together and [A3 and A4] are to work together. Talk with your partner about how you are going to group your objects. Talk about why some belong together. What is special about them? Place your different groups on the trays. I will give you a few minutes to group your objects. Then I will ask you to tell the others what is special about each group. Here is an instruction card to help you.
Read the instruction card. Here is your equipment for you and your partner to work with. Give each pair an instruction card, jug of water, a magnet, 4 trays and bag of objects. Allow time. Now I would like you to show the others how you grouped your objects. Tell us what is in each group and what is special or different about that group. I will write down what is in each group when you are ready. Allow time. Record answers after pairs have shared. Put 1 set of equipment aside, and mix other set for giving to team.
Now I want you to work as a group. This time you have one set of objects. As a team, decide on what is the best way to group these objects into five groups. Put your groups on the trays, Give students instruction card, 1 set of objects and 5 trays. Remember you need to think about what objects belong together. What is special about each group? Why is it different from the other groups? You have a few minutes to group your objects. Then I will ask you to tell me about your groups. Allow time. Record group answers