Sort by colour
These objects can be grouped by colour.
The blue objects belong together. The orange objects belong together.
Year 1
Sort and classify objects by colour, size and shape
Notice what is the same and different, then group objects by colour, size or shape.
Lesson overview
Geometry - properties of shape
Sorting helps us notice patterns and shared features. We can sort objects by colour, by size, or by shape. When we classify, we put things together because they belong to the same group for a clear reason.
Sort by size
These objects can be grouped by size.
Large objects belong together, and small objects belong together.
Sort by shape
These objects can be grouped by shape.
All the circles belong together. All the triangles belong together.
Worked example
Sam has a blue circle, a blue square and an orange circle. Which two objects belong together if Sam sorts by colour?
- Look at the feature we are using to sort.
- Sam is sorting by colour.
- Find the objects that have the same colour.
- The blue circle and the blue square both belong in the blue group.
Answer: The blue circle and the blue square
Try it
Look at the objects and choose the group that follows the sorting rule.
Question 1
If we sort by colour, which two belong together?
Question 2
If we sort by size, which group is correct?
Question 3
If we sort by shape, which objects belong together?
Question 4
What does classify mean?
Question 5
Can the same objects be sorted in more than one way?
Common mistakes
These reminders help when sorting and classifying.
- Sorting by a different feature from the one asked.
- Grouping objects because they look nice together instead of checking the rule.
- Forgetting that the same objects can be sorted in more than one way.
Related topics
These connect closely to early geometry and noticing shape features.
- Recognise and name common 2-D shapes, including rectangles, squares, circles and triangles.
- Describe position, direction and movement.