Areas of Learning: Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
Context: Investigating and sorting old and new toys and how toys work.
Learning Intentions:To sort toys in sets and to say why they have sorted the toys in that way (KUW). To find out how toys work and the technology around them (KUW).
Child Speak Targets: I am learning to/can sort toys into groups.
I am learning to/can say why I have sorted the toys into the groups.
I am learning to/can explain how the toy moves, makes a noise or flashes.
Key Vocabulary: old, new, toy, group, sort, battery, power, move, sound, flash, mouse, click, drag, print.

You will need: clipboards, paper, old and new toys, sorting hoops.

As a class, look at different toys and sort them into hoops using criteria suggested by the children, for example: old and new, big and small, plastic and wood.

Identify and explore the toys that could move and sort those into sets. Discuss: how does it move? Does it need batteries to move?

Go on a 'technology trail' around the school to identify other things around us that could move, make a noise or flash. Try to find out how they work. Draw and label the objects that you find.

In small groups, sort the toys that move or make a noise into sets. Think about whether the toys need batteries, have to be plugged in or have a special mechanism to help them.

In pairs, ask children to sort the toys on the screen into sets.

Observe and discuss with the children why they have chosen to sort the toys into the groups on the screen.

Click here to download Textease file: Sorting toys. (Right click on this link and save on your computer. Once saved open in Textease.)

You will need: Battery operated toys.

Give the children the opportunity to explore a range of battery operated toys. Encourage them to explore the instructions that they need to give to operate the toy and then to sequence those instructions.

For example: turning on and off the Pixie or making the Pixie move underneath a brick bridge built by the children.

Thinking Questions: What material is the toy made from? Can the toy move?
How old is the toy? Why do you think that?
Who would like to play with the toy?
Can you sort the toys into groups? Can you explain why you sorted the toys into these groups?
Can you think of something else in our school that uses batteries to make it work?
Can you think of something at home that you have to plug in to make it work?