In this issue, Andre and his family use their imaginations to turn chores into a fun sorting game! Andre learns to group things by their features — like color, shape, or type — and discovers that sorting can be both helpful and fun.
Why Sorting Matters
Identifying categories and sorting helps children learn how to group things by common features. This builds important skills such as:
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Attention
- Vocabulary development
These skills support learning in school and everyday life.
Tips for Reading Together
- Ask Questions: Pause and ask what your child thinks will happen next or how Andre might be feeling.
- Talk About the Pictures: Encourage your child to describe what they see in the illustrations.
- Use Fun Voices: Make the story come alive by using playful voices for different characters.
- Connect the Story to Real Life: Ask if your child has ever helped sort or clean and how it made them feel.
- Let Your Child Take the Lead: Invite them to turn the pages, point to words or pictures, or read along if they can.
Practicing Sorting Skills at Home
Try these simple activities after reading the book together:
- Talk About Categories: Ask your child what Andre sorted and why those things went together.
- Sort Together: Have your child sort toys, clothes, or kitchen items at home. Talk about how they are the same or different.
- Use Descriptive Words: Practice words like soft, round, or for playing music to describe what you’re sorting.
- Explore More Activities: Visit the FCRR Student Center Activities page, which offers hundreds of free activities for Pre-K through Fifth grade levels.