Shoe Classification Activity
Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________________ Period: ______
1. Remove your right shoe. Place it in the center of your group.
2. List ALL the shoes you have by 4 characteristics. ALL shoes must have one or more of the
characteristics you list. Write the characteristics in Box 1.
 EXAMPLES: laces, no laces, tennis shoes, heels, shiny, dull, etc.
3. Divide the shoes into 2 subgroups by common characteristics. ALL shoes must have one of the two
characteristics. Write one characteristic in Box 2 and one characteristic in Box 3.
4. Look at the shoes that have the characteristic you listed in Box 2. How can you divide these shoes into
two groups? Divide the shoes from Box 2 by common characteristics. You can use a characteristic you
listed in Box 1 or a different one. ALL shoes from Box 2 must have one of the two characteristics.
Write one characteristic in Box 4 and one characteristic in Box 5.
5. Look at the shoes that have the characteristic you listed in Box 3. How can you divide these shoes into
two groups? Divide the shoes from Box 3 by common characteristics. ALL shoes from Box 3 must have
one of the two characteristics. Write one characteristic in Box 6 and one characteristic in Box 7.
6. Continue dividing the shoes until there is only ONE shoe per subgroup. You do not have to use all the
boxes provided and you can add more if you need to.
7. Once you have divided the shoes until there is only one shoe per subgroup, write the name of the
shoe’s owner next to the Box that classifies their shoe.
8. When I tell you to, take any three shoes and pass them to the group next to you.
9. Classify these 3 new shoes. Place them into the top of your flow chart and continue through the chart,
if possible.
10. We will switch one more time and repeat.
SHOES
Box 1 - Four Characteristics:
Box 2
Box 3
Box 4
Box 8
Box 5
Box 9
Box 10
Box 6
Box 11
Box 12
Box 7
Box 13
Box 14
Analysis:
1. What were some of the common characteristics that you used to classify your shoes?
2. Did you have any trouble classifying them? Explain.
3. Was it difficult to use your chart for the 3 new shoes? What problems, if any, did you run into?
4. Is there more than one way you could have classified the shoes? Explain
5. Explain how this activity relates to how scientists classify organisms.
Box 15