Sorting Random Objects

Each group received a packet full of random materials. The packets contained things like two spoons composed of different types of metal, a penny, a nickel, aluminum foil, a rubber band, a plastic fork, packing material, Styrofoam, paperclips, etc. I asked the groups to sort the materials in any way they wanted. Group #1 sorted their objects by what type of material they are made out of while Group #2 sorted by size. After Emily gave each group a magnet and suggested they re-sort the objects, both groups then sorted them by magnetic materials and nonmagnetic materials.