Need a no-prep science tools sort to teach, review, or assess your students on scientific tools, lab equipment, and weather instruments? Our best-selling printable & digital resource is a hands-on science tools cut & paste & matching activity that can be used in a variety of ways: as an introduction to your science tools unit, to review students on science tools and their functions, or to assess students' understanding of the scientific tools topic! 

Including both a printable and digital option, this science tools sort is a must-have for any teacher who's looking for a no-prep activity that will make learning about scientific instruments fun and interactive for students!  Students will love that it's hands-on and engaging; teachers will love that it can be used in a variety of ways and is easy to assign and assess! 

What's Included in This Resource

1. Printable Science Tools Sort (PDF)

• Version #1: Matching Activity by Type of Tools
  • Separate Measurement Tools, Observation Tools, Lab & Safety Tools, and Weather Tools
    • Each includes type-specific sorting mat, tool picture cards, tool name cards, and tool function cards
  • Answer Key
  • Designed for targeted practice after teaching each type of tool
  • Less overwhelming for students since they only work with a subset of cards at a time
• Version #2: Sorting Activity with All Types of Tools
  • Combined Measurement Tools, Observation Tools, Lab & Safety Tools, and Weather Tools
    • Includes 6 sorting mats, 33 tool picture cards, 33 tool name cards, and 33 tool function cards
  • Answer Key
  • Best used for end-of-unit review or assessment after students have studied every type of tool

2. Digital Science Tools Sort (Google Slides)

• Includes clickable hyperlinks on title slide so students can jump directly to sorting activity for each type of tool (Measurement Tools, Observation Tools, Lab & Safety Tools, and Weather Tools)
  • Each includes type-specific sorting mat, tool picture cards, tool name cards, and tool function cards
• Answer Key
• Drag-and-drop cards make the activity interactive and paperless.

Science Tools, Lab Equipment, & Weather Instruments Included in This Resource

• Measurement Tools
  • Balance, Scale, Spring Scale, Triple Beam Balance, Thermometer, Stopwatch, Graduated Cylinder, Ruler, and Yardstick
• Observation Tools
  • Magnifying Glass, Binoculars, Petri Dish, and Microscope & Slide
• Lab Tools
  • Test Tubes, Beaker, Flask, Pipette, Dropper, Bunsen Burner, Hot Plate, Tongs, Tweezers, Funnel, Mortar & Pestle, and Spatula
• Safety Tools
  • Apron, Goggles, and Gloves
• Weather Tools
  • Anemometer, Barometer, Hygrometer, Wind Vane, and Rain Gauge

Skills Addressed in This Resource

• Identify the science tool by its picture.
• Identify the science tool by its name.
• Identify the science tool by its function (purpose).

⭐️⭐️⭐️ This resource is also part of my Back to School Science Bundle—a complete, 4–6 week unit packed with engaging lessons, experiments, posters, pacing guides, and activities that make it easy to jump into real science instruction from Day 1. Perfect for grades 5–8! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ways to Use This Science Tools Matching Resource

• Whole-Class Activity
  • Project the digital version. Work as a class to drag and drop cards into place.
  • Discuss each tool’s name, picture, and function as you sort together.
• Small Groups / Stations
  • Assign Version 1 (by type) during instruction on that category of tools.
  • Use Version 2 (all tools) as a challenge station for review or assessment.
• Independent Practice
  • Assign one tool type at a time for homework, practice, or early finishers.
  • Use Version 2 as a summative assessment at the end of your science tools unit.

Teachers Like You Say…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meghan A. says, “I purchased this product to go with a strand for my student's MCAS ALT portfolio and it was a great buy. It made it easy to generalize the lesson that I was teaching to my student!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Emily D. says, “I loved this activity for my students. It really made them think about all of the equipment!” 

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Want everything you need to teach science tools in one place?

This resource is part of my Science Tools Unit Bundle, which includes editable slides and notes, posters, task cards, digital flashcards, worksheets, review games, and more—covering measurement, lab, observation, and safety tools. It’s a complete, classroom-tested toolkit designed to make your first week of science instruction easy, engaging, and effective! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

➡️ You may also like our other Science Tools Resources

• Science Tools Slides & Notes
• Science Tools Worksheets & Puzzles
• Science Tools Sort
• Science Tools Task Cards
• Science Tools Digital Flash Cards
• Science Tools Activity BUNDLE - Sort, Task Cards, & Flash Cards

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Terms of Use

Copyright © Amy Pinkerton at Teaching Works. All rights reserved by the author. This product is to be used by the original purchaser only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited.