Substrand	Data
Purpose	Clarifying data Reasoning
CSF level suggested	1–2
Equipment	Large amounts of mixed buttons

The Task

Students were each given a pile of about twenty mixed buttons. They were to sort them into two or more piles using their own sorting rules. Students were then to make a diagram to show the results of their sorting.

Students were then asked to repeat the task using different sorting rules.

Look For

• ability to devise clear rules (size, colours, number of holes, shape)
• number of groups generated
• accurate sorting
• ability to record diagrammatically
• ability to describe results
• ability to apply alternative rules

Jonathon (Year Prep) sorted his buttons according to colour. He confidently counted and explained these to the teacher, but then put them all back in one group to record the total number. He required teacher help to write numbers, to think of a second sorting rule, and to organise his groups separately. Suggests Level 1 in the substrand.

Wesley (Year Prep) first sorted his buttons by size. He drew three circled groups that showed the buttons traced. He correctly counted and labelled each group "Big 4, middle 10, small 6." He then began to resort his buttons by colour, but just grouped and described the white buttons and did not finish sorting the entire group. Suggests Level 2 in the substrand.

Michael (Year 1) first sorted his buttons according to the number of holes they had. He drew three circled groups and labelled these "Four holes: 10. Two holes: 25. None: 4." He then resorted the buttons according to the material they were made from. He drew two circled groups and labelled these "Plastic: 39. Not plastic: 0." Suggests Level 2 in the substrand.