Sorting and Classifying Activity
NJ CCCS 4.3
"Where the Wild Things Are" Sorting
Grade Level - K
1. Introduce the book, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.
Tell the children that it is about monsters; discuss whether monsters are scary
or funny (mention the "Sesame Street" monsters like Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe,
and other "funny" ones).
2. Discuss the ways that monsters look different, just like people. Point out
the children wearing red, those with brown hair, etc. Ask the children to look
closely at the monsters in the pictures while you're reading, but not to say
anything yet.
3. Using the pictures of the monsters playing, ask the children to help you group the monsters. It will help a lot if you are able to photocopy these pages in color, cut out the individual monsters, and use on a felt board. Sort the monsters by ones with tails, ones with claws on their toes, ones with stripes, ones with scales, etc. Get creative! This is a great way to introduce sets and subsets. Students can work independently at grouping the monsters.
Assessment: When given a category, students will place the monster under the correct heading.
