Word+Sorts



=__** Word Sorts **__=

 The teacher or students provide a list of vocabulary terms from the passage. Students then sort the words into categories matching words that seem similar together. This helps link prior knowledge to vocabulary terms.

 Word sorts are used to categorize different terms into groups.


 * **Open Sorts**: Students decide the categories of words and place words into those categories
 * **Closed Sorts**: Teacher decides the categories of words and students place words into matching categories

=__ How can I use it in class? __=

This is a great pre-reading strategy to see what students know about vocabulary words before you read or study your content area. Decide on the most important vocabulary words or concepts that you wish to use for the sort. You can discuss the words before you sort them, or just let students use their prior knowledge to problem solve.


 * Have the students cut out the words so they can physically manipulate them which helps kinesthetic learners.


 * Use the word sorts to review people, places, and events to see if students can group terms to correct time period, culture, story, or concept.


 * Sort words by analyzing their prefix, suffix, word origins, part of speech, vowel sounds, etc.


 * Add an extra component by having students rationalize why certain words were grouped where they are or how they placed them in that category.


 * Answers to an Open sort are truly endless in most cases. This allows students practice in problem solving and higher levels of thinking

Circle the word in each group that includes the others. || > council > judges > governor || # generals > troops > armies > warriors || # throne > coronation > crown > church ||
 * You can also create sorts that are more focused. Write a main topic and then 3 examples of words that would fit under that topic. Students select the main topic from the list of 4
 * || # government
 * Create word sorts on the Smartboard to have students manipulate words as a class or demonstrate the possibilities of category topics.


 * Concept Circle: Divide a circle into four. Write 3 examples in 3 of the pie slices. Leave the 4th blank. Have students write what the big concept is.

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= = =**__ Resources __**=

[|Modifications for Word Sorts]

[|Example of Word Sort with Science words and prefixes]

[|Word Sort Definition and Step by Step]

[|Word Sort Rationale Chart]

[|Word Sort Smartboard with Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes]

[|Open and Closed Word Sort Examples]