Word+Sorts+as+a+Processing+Activity

There are two types of word sorts: open and closed. Both can be adapted to content area topics. (Vacca & Vacca, 1999).
 * __ Word Sorts  __**

In closed word sorts, the teacher defines the process for categorizing the words. This requires students to engage in critical thinking as they examine sight vocabulary, corresponding concepts, or word structure. ** Closed Word Sort Example ** || ** Metals ** ** Nonmetals ** nickel lithium bohrium bromine mercury krypton cobalt sulfur || In open word sorts, the students determine how to categorize the words, thereby, becoming involved in an active manipulation of words. While closed sorts reinforce and extend students’ ability to classify words and concepts, open sorts can prompt divergent and inductive reasoning (Vacca & Vacca, 1999). ** Open Word Sort Example ** || ** Step-by-Step Process ** 1. Select words that are important to the understanding of the lesson. At this time, the teacher should determine if it will be an open or closed sort. 2. Pass out words to groups. 3. If the activity is a closed sort, remind students they will need to use the categories provided to them. If it is an open sort, suggest to students that they categorize the words into groups that make sense to them. Remind them that they will need to be able to explain their rationale for the groups they created. 4. Give students time to create their sorts. Give students a short amount of time to rotate to other groups to examine other sorts from their classmates’ groups. 5. As students read the text or discuss it in more detail, allow them to reclassify their words. 6. Have students to reflect on their sorts and how it increased their understanding of the terms. 7. Upon completion of a word sort, students can write a summary or reflection on why they chose words for a particular category.
 * Categories (provided by teacher): ** metals, nonmetals
 * Words: ** nickel, bohrium, sulfur, mercury, bromine, lithium, krypton, cobalt ||
 * Student Work Sample **
 * Student Work Sample **
 * Student Work Sample **
 * Words: ** nickel, bohrium, sulfur, mercury, bromine, lithium, krypton, cobalt ||
 * Student Work Sample (categories chosen by students) **
 * metals with luster and malleability **
 * Nickel
 * bohrium
 * mercury
 * cobalt
 * metals with high reactions **
 * lithium
 * noble gases **
 * krypton
 * nonmetals **
 * bromine
 * sulfur ||
 * bromine
 * sulfur ||