Sorting+Tasks

It is easy to move sorting tasks into being a 'performance task' by using a timer or stopwatch. I have recently discovered a combined stopwatch &amp; timer at:[|Online stopwatch/timer]. On a Mac, I save this as a .webarchive file, so that I can use it any time I like.

(I think these are right!) I made up the extra cards as: • Data sets (ordered) • Frequency table (tally chart) as a way of making the task accessible to younger students.

I like to introduce this activity to kids by putting down a masking tape grid on the carpet, and inviting the kids to decide where the labels should go. I have found this process of giving kids the permission to 'own the structure' helps their mathematical thinking in later discourse. The table below is the 'table top' version for kids to continue refining their sense of symmetry, perhaps with the use of the timer, available from this wiki.
 * Symmetry Sorting Tasks** (inspired by Malcolm Swan's approach)

Other variations include classifying car logos and flags according to their symmetry. It helps to invite students to give their attention to just one aspect of the flag or car logo, ignoring other attributes. //"I'm moving this card from _ __to__ _. What am I attending to? What am I choosing to ignore?"//

All arrangements of 2 sphinx tiles organised according to attributes of symmetry and periemeter.
 * 2 Sphinx Tiles**





Use this task to challenge students to place the operations to link the cards. Challenge your students to create their own version.
 * Sorting Task-Quadratic Function**

I find that students 'coach' each other if they are unsure how to interpret the global features of linear functions. Students can develop their own version as a task with a higher cognitive load. The document to download has 54 cards to sort (6 linear functions, 9 representations of each, including a spreadsheet and graphical calculator). The structure could easily be adapted for quadratic or trigonometric functions.
 * Sorting Task-Multiple Representations of Linear Functions**

I find it useful to trial one of Malcolm Swan's tasks (eg. Fractions, Decimals &amp; Percentages) with teachers, and then invite them to generate an example of a task with a similar structure suitable for their own context. This helps to develop teachers' '//lens//' to '//see possibilities//' and to make little '//shifts//' in their practice. I am developing a FileMaker Pro database that allows easy input of images and words. When completed, I will upload a RunTime version that makes it a quick and easy process for teachers to develop their own 'print-ready' resources.
 * Task to use within a Professional Development Activity**

The structure of this task can be adapted to a range of contexts, from Early Childhood through to Year 12. A great professional development task to trial with colleagues is to run the Fractions, Decimals & Percentages activity, and then invite colleagues to use the blank template (below) to develop similar tasks that would suit their context.
 * Fractions, Decimals & Percentages** [[file:S6_Percentages V4.pdf]] [[file:Money.pdf]]





The following tasks have been developed as an adaptation to the structure of Malcolm Swan's original tasks. Feel free to modify them to suit your students.


 * Animals-Relative Speed & Mass** [[file:Sorting Task-Animals.pdf]] [[file:Sorting Task-Animals.doc]]


 * Vehicles-Relative Speed, Mass & Length** [[file:Sorting Task-Vehicles.pdf]] [[file:Sorting Task-Vehicles.doc]]


 * Height-Comparing absolute & proportional height** [[file:Sorting Task-Height.pdf]] [[file:Sorting Task-Height.doc]]