Time Rift Sorting Hat

🧙 Time Rift Sorting Hat (20–25 min)

Objective

Students will build historical categories and thematic understanding by sorting Time Rift cards into chronological and thematic bins, then debating edge cases to explore how historians construct categories.

Materials

• Time Rift cards (Champions, Artifacts, Events)
• Labeled bins, table zones, or wall posters with categories:
  
  • Chronological: Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern
  • Thematic: Warrior, Scholar, Explorer
• Dry-erase markers or sticky notes

Setup (3–4 min)

• Prepare category zones (bins, posters, or table areas).
• Distribute a mix of cards to students.

Activity

1. Sorting Phase (7–8 min)

• Students place cards into categories using visual/textual clues.
• Quick partner/group justification of choices.

2. Edge Case Discussion (7–8 min)

• Class reviews tricky placements (e.g., Musashi: Medieval or Early Modern?).
• Teacher facilitates short debates, highlighting how historians define periods differently.

3. Reflection & Wrap Up (3–4 min)

• Students share one surprising placement or insight.
• Teacher summarizes: categories are constructed, not fixed.

Extension (Optional, 5–7 min)

• Students invent new categories (e.g., Rebels, Pirates, Empire Builders).
• Re-sort a few cards and explain reasoning.

Assessment

Formative Options

• Observe group discussions for reasoning and evidence use.
• Quick checklist: Did students justify placement? Did they engage respectfully in debate?

Summative Options

• Exit Slip: Write one card they sorted, why they placed it there, and one alternative category it might fit.
• Short Reflection: 1–2 paragraphs on how categories shape our view of history.

⏱ Total Time: ~20–25 minutes (extension pushes closer to 30–32).

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🧙 Time Rift Sorting Hat Worksheet

Step 1: Card Sorting

- Card Name: __________________________

- Card Type: Champion / Artifact / Event

- Chosen Category: __________________________

- Reason for Placement: _____________________________________________________________

  ___________________________________________________________________________________

Step 2: Edge Case Notes

- Was this card tricky to place?   □ Yes   □ No

- If yes, explain why: _________________________________________________________________

  ___________________________________________________________________________________

- Alternative category it might fit AND why: _____________________________________________

  ___________________________________________________________________________________

Step 3: Group Discussion

- One challenge or debate my group had: _____________________________________________

  ___________________________________________________________________________________

- How did we resolve it? ______________________________________________________________

  ___________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4: Reflection

- One surprising placement or insight: _________________________________________________

   ___________________________________________________________________________________

- What I learned about categories in history: ___________________________________________
  ___________________________________________________________________________________

Extension (Optional)

- New Category I Invented: ________________________________

- Card(s) I placed here: ______________________________________________________

- Reasoning: ________________________________________________________________________

   ___________________________________________________________________________________

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