Sort and classify by one attribute

Classify cards by one stated rule: color, shape, kind, size, pattern, material, dots, sides, roll, or number property. Each card has one labelled group.

Task format

Place object cards into labelled groups. The prompt names the sorting attribute.

Variants

Color is the rule; shape and size are distractors.

Foundation: younger age, fewer cards, explicit rule, familiar attributes, more support.

Color FoundationSort by color.

GroupsRed, Blue, Yellow

Cardsred sock -> Red, blue block -> Blue, yellow ball -> Yellow, red cup -> Red, blue hat -> Blue, yellow car -> Yellow

Task axis

Age: 6-7

Answer: Every card goes into one matching color group.

Misread: Child may sort by an inactive feature instead of the color.

Curriculum: US: CCSS K.MD.B.3 · UK: KS1 sort/classify objects by colour · Singapore: P1 attribute sorting/data prep · Dubai/UAE: UAE MoE early numeracy or school-declared data curriculum

Problem text

Start: Put each object in the matching color zone.

Wrong: Not yet. Move the card that does not match its zone evidence, then check each card one at a time.

Hint: Look only for the color on each card.

Reveal: The host points to one card, names the visible evidence, slides it to the matching zone, and repeats until all cards are placed.

Success: Yes. Each card matches the rule for its zone.

Solution: Sort by color. Each card belongs in the zone with the matching visible evidence; card order inside a zone does not matter.