Letter Sorting with Names

Boy, it seems that I have been on a sorting kick lately!  What with letter, word, sentence sorts yesterday (click here to read about that) and word sorts not too long ago (click here for that one), you would think I would be all sorted out!!

But no, I have this sorting activity too.  It is sorting and classifying if your letter is not only in your name, but is it also in your friend's name?  Sorting and classifying is such a brain worthy activity to do.  That is one of the reasons I like it- I am all about teaching youngsters to think a little deeper (click here for deeper level thinking).  

There can be many levels to this activity, starting with name recognition.  Have students' names in a pocket chart.  Students need to choose their name plate then be paired with a partner.  After being paired with a partner and being given a Venn diagram, their individual letters go in a bowl or cup.  Students take turns drawing out a letter and naming the letter drawn.  Then they go to higher level thinking by deciding if the letter is in their name only or only in their partner's name and place it in the appropriate circle.  Or if the letter is in both names, it goes in the middle.  

This is one part of a group of letter sorts that I have created due to the great response to name sorts.  Click here or on the picture to be taken to it.  There are 4 different letter sorts included.

Students have a lot of fun examining the letters in their names and the names of their friends.  They will be amazed when some partners have NO letters in common.  This activity can be played as many times as you can partner the students up.  They will enjoy it and you will enjoy the learning and thinking that will be happening!