Classification Inquiry

Snapshot Inquiry -Chemistry Activity: (1 class period)

Materials: Variety of Element Trading cards (made by students from past years)

Class Structure: 6 students groups will be playing two roles: first "Organizers" then "Pattern Fitters"

Organizer Part 1:

1. Group Leaders will have a written instruction which will say: "How will you organize these cards?" Give each of your group members an equal amount of cards and tell them to "first organize your own cards according to whatever rules that YOU think are important". 
2. Then tell you group that "We must now decide as a group how all of the cards can be organized together" and do it.
3. Lastly have you entire group find a way to write the rules of the group's organizational plan. Please have the student with best penmanship write the directions about how you organized your cards!

Pattern Fitter Part 2:

1. New Group Leaders will have a written instruction which will say: First Trade rules and cards with another group. 
2. Then tell you group that "We must now see if we can follow their rules and organize their cards correctly" and do it.
3. Have your partner group check your pattern, if they say it is incorrect, you receive one last chance for corrections. before time is called.

Summation Part 3:

1. Bring class together and share results. Why were they successful or not? 

OPTION:

Incorporate technology by allowing groups to record an image of their Organizer as wll as their Pattern Fitter placements.