Sort Animals into Groups | Classification

Practise animal classification with real photos, helping learners with autism and special education needs sort animals into groups.

I created this resource to support picture matching and classification through three levels of support. The same animal photos appear throughout, keeping the visual materials consistent as learners move from supported matching to independent sorting.

What Is Included

This 63-page resource includes:

• 36 image-only animal cards and pictured group labels
• 6 teaching pages covering mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects
• 6 supported matching mats and 6 blank sorting mats
• 18 animal classification worksheets: two-choice classification, four-way matching and three-group cut-and-paste
• 2 review pages, 2 comparison pages and 2 checks
• Teacher guidance, a progress record, visual indices and answer keys

Skills Targeted

Students practise visual matching, identifying animal groups, category sorting and comparing taught examples. Teaching notes address exceptions such as dolphins and penguins, helping educators explain why water or wings alone do not identify an animal’s group.

How to Use

I recommend starting with two cards and a supported mat. Teach the group meanings before introducing blank mats, then gradually increase the number of groups.

Use the activities in science centres, small groups, one-to-one teaching or home practice. Students can point, place cards, use eye gaze or AAC. An adult can prepare the cutouts when cutting is not an accessible response.

Identical-picture matching practises visual matching; it does not demonstrate independent animal classification.

Who Is It For?

Designed for preschool through second-grade learners, approximately ages 3–8, including students who benefit from visual support and differentiated practice in autism and special education settings.

File and Preparation Information

One ZIP download contains a print-ready PDF and an editable PowerPoint (.pptx). The colour resource uses US Letter pages, 8.5 × 11 inches.

Unzip the download before opening. Print cards and mats at the same 100% scale. Print worksheets as needed; reusable cards require cutting, and lamination is optional. CMYK export guidance, preparation tips and storage suggestions are included.

Your feedback and reviews are greatly appreciated and help other educators discover useful resources.