Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Sorting according to two criteria using Carroll diagrams

In a Year 3 mathematics lesson from Max Maths, students learn about sorting objects based on two criteria using Carroll diagrams, a method that helps to categorise items efficiently. The lesson begins with a practical example where a character named Padma sorts her toys into different shelves, each labelled with two attributes: 'animal' and 'hat'. This real-life scenario provides a context for students to understand how objects can be grouped according to specific characteristics.

The concept is further explained when Jade, another character, suggests that Padma's sorting method can be visually represented using a Carroll diagram. A Carroll diagram is a simple grid that helps to sort items based on whether they meet certain conditions. In this case, the diagram has two columns labelled 'Hat' and 'No hat', and two rows labelled 'Animal' and 'Not an animal'. By placing each toy in the correct section of the diagram, students can see a clear representation of how Padma's toys are organised according to the presence of a hat and whether the toy represents an animal. This exercise not only aids in categorisation but also introduces students to the foundational concept of set theory and logical classification.