ESOL STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL STUDIES!!! Strategy 25

Strategy 25: Sorting Activities

Next Generation Sunshine State Standards:

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SS.5.C.3.1 Describe the organizational structure (legislative, executive, judicial branches) and powers of the federal government as defined in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution. 

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5 Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.

ESOL Standards
18) Create a positive classroom environment to accommodate the various learning styles and cultural backgrounds of students.

STEP BY STEP

1. Identify skills to practice in sorting mode
2. Explain the activity 
3. Set up the routine and requirements
4. Assess the students' progress and understanding 

A way to apply this strategy to social studies is to helps students sequence the order of the legislative process. Students need to use manipulatives in order to help them remember, so a great way to help them remember is to make a word ring that has the ten steps to the legislative process. Students can scan through these cards to help recall the process anytime they forget. Another activity for students to use is the online legislative process: Congress At Work activity. This activity gives the students hint if they need it, and lets them sort it as many times as they wish.  As well, the Branches of Government Game. 

Link to Legislative Process Congress At Work activity:

http://docsteach.org/activities/6833

Branches of Government Game: http://www.brainpop.com/educators/community/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/branches-of-government-game-416x312.png