Data Sorter Cards Plus Data Sorter Cards Plus
Mega-set of extra-large format cards for practice sorting Python data types.
Sorting Mats (The Buckets)
Type String (str)
Anything in "quotes" or 'quotes'
Type Integer (int)
Whole numbers (no decimals)
Type Float
Numbers with a . decimal point
Type Boolean (bool)
Only 2 values: True or False
Type List
Ordered items in [ square brackets ]
Type Dict
{ Key : Value } pairs
Type Tuple
Locked items in ( parenthesis )
Type Set
Unique items in { curly braces }
Type Range
A sequence like range(0, 5)
Set 1: Basic Mix
"Python"
2024
"100"
"True"
3.14
False
Set 2: Collections Mix
[1, 2, 3]
{"hp": 10}
[]
{}
(5, 10)
{1, 2}
Set 3: Dict Master - People
{"name": "Alex", "age": 12}
{"city": "London", "code": "UK"}
{"friend": "Sam", "status": "Best"}
{"user": "coder1", "online": True}
{"points": 100, "level": 1}
{"fav_color": "Blue"}
Set 4: Dict Master - Inventory
{"apple": 0.50, "pear": 0.75}
{"gold": 50, "silver": 100}
{"id": 505, "active": False}
{"size": "L", "color": "Green"}
{"score": 0}
{"stock": 1000}
Set 5: Dict Master - Game Stats
{"hp": 100, "alive": True}
{"x": 10.5, "y": 20.0}
{"str": 15, "dex": 12}
{"inv": ["map", "compass"]}
{"save_slot": 1}
"{'key': 'val'}"
Set 6: Web & Tech Data
"https://python.org "
1920
True
(1080, 720)
"192.168.1.1"
0.001
Set 7: School Data
"Class 4B"
25
85.5
["Alex", "Sam", "Jo"]
False
"Grade A"
Set 8: Robot Hardware
4
"MOTOR_ON"
45.0
range(0, 181)
"Port 1"
True
Variable Builder Giant Puzzles Variable Puzzle Blocks
Extra-large, high-contrast pieces for tactile code building.
Mix and Match!
Connect a Yellow Name, an = Equals, and a White Value.
username
=
"Coder"
score
=
500
price
=
19.99
is_live
=
True
player
=
{"id": 1, "pts": 50}
colors
=
["red", "blue"]
inventory
=
{"gold": 10, "key": 1}
stats
=
{"lvl": 5}
empty_dict
=
{}
steps
=
range(10)
Variable Matcher Activity Data Lab Match-Up
Draw a line to match the Variable Name to its Data Type!
NAME: ________________________
DATE: ________________________
Variable Name
Data Type
user_age
Integer (int)
is_raining
String (str)
user_greeting
Boolean (bool)
item_price
Float
Phase 2: Match the Type to its Python Value
Data Type
Python Value
List
{"city": "NY"}
Dictionary (dict)
[10, 20, 30]
Tuple
{1, 2, 2, 3}
Set
(4, 5, 6)
The Logic Challenge
You have a game where players can jump or run .is_jumping?
Data Lab Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
Data Lab Facilitation Guide
Tactile strategies for teaching Python Data Types and Variable Logic.
Section 1: Data Types
Section 2: Variable Power
Section 1: Data Types
Tactile Sorting Strategy
Use the Data Sorter Cards Plus . For students with motor impairments, velcro the cards to a vertical felt board or drop them into weighted buckets.
"Is there a quote? It's a String! Is there a dot? It's a Float!"
The "Glass Box" Metaphor
Tell students quotes are like magic glass. Once a number like 100 goes inside "100", it's a string and you can't do math with it anymore!
Section 2: Variable Power
Teaching Naming Rules
Use the Variable Naming Quest worksheet to focus specifically on legal syntax. For students with dyslexia or dysgraphia, focus on the Snake Case pattern (player_score) as it's easier to read than Camel Case.
Bad: 1st_place (Starts with number!)
Good: place_1 (Starts with letter!)
The Modular Puzzle Game
The Variable Builder Giant Puzzles teach the structure: NAME = VALUE. Encourage students to create "Silly Sentences" (e.g., username = 10.5) first to understand the syntax, then move to logical pairings (score = 100).
The "Done" List
Students sorted 20+ Data Cards
Students built 5+ Valid Variables
Students identified 3 Illegal Names
Students completed the Logic Challenge
Variable Matcher Answer Key Teacher Resource
Answer Key: Match-Up
Correct matches for the Data Lab Match-Up worksheet.
ANSWER KEY
Phase 1: Variable Name to Type
user_age Integer (int)
is_raining Boolean (bool)
user_greeting String (str)
item_price Float
Phase 2: Type to Python Value
List [10, 20, 30]
Dictionary (dict) {"city": "NY"}
Tuple (4, 5, 6)
Set {1, 2, 2, 3}
Logic Challenge Solution
The variable is_jumping would be a:
Boolean (bool)
Reasoning: Since it only has two states (jumping or not jumping), a True/False value is the most efficient choice.
Data Lab Master Key Teacher Resource
Data Lab Master Key
Comprehensive solution guide for all Python Data Lab activities.
MASTER
Section 1: Data Types
Tricky Sorter Cards (Set 1-8)
"100" / "True" / "Grade A" → String (Quotes!)"$5.00" / "Port 1" / "Level 5" → String (Quotes!)"40.71" / "{'key': 'val'}" → String (Quotes!)3.14 / 85.5 / 45.0 → Float2024 / 25 / 4 → Integer
Collection Types
["Alex", "Sam", "Jo"] → List(1080, 720) → Tuplerange(0, 181) → Range{"id": 505, "active": False} → Dictionary{"hp": 100, "alive": True} → Dictionary
Section 2: Variables
Puzzle Logical Pairings
username = "Coder"
score = 500
price = 19.99
is_live = True
player = {"id": 1, "pts": 50}
inventory = {"gold": 10, "key": 1}
colors = ["red", "blue"]
spawn = (10, 50)
Variable Naming Quest Answers
VALID:
score, _health, level2, player_name
INVALID:
1st_place, player speed, is-winner, money$
Variable Naming Quest Activity Variable Naming Quest
Can you spot the variables that follow the rules?
Player Name: ________________
Date: ________________
The Laws of Variables
1
Must start with a letter or _
2
Can ONLY use
3
NO SPACES!
Mission: Circle the VALID variable names
score
1st_place
player speed
_health
is-winner
level2
player_name
money$
Hero!
The Repair Shop
These variable names are BROKEN. Can you fix them to follow the rules?
player score
1stPlace
is-winner?
Variable Concepts Posters What is a Variable?
"Alex"
player_name
A Variable is like a BOX that holds DATA.
Storage Power
score
=
100
In Coding, = means "STORES".
"The variable score stores the value 100"
Naming Rules
1
Must start with a letter or _
2
NO SPACES!
3
Use snake_case to join words.
my_game_score
The Best Case
snake_case
player_health
Python loves underscores.
Data Type Reference Poster Data Type Master Guide
Simple Types
String (str) " "
Text in quotes."Hello"
Integer (int)
Whole numbers.10, -5, 0
Float .
Decimal numbers.3.14, 0.5
Boolean
True or False.True, False
Collection Types
List [ ]
Ordered items in brackets.[1, 2, 3]
Dictionary { }
Key:Value pairs in braces.{"id": 1}
Tuple ( )
Locked items in parenthesis.(1, 2)
Set / Range
Sets {1, 2} or range(10)
Which data type do YOU need?
Data Lab Presentation Slides Python Data Lab
Mastering Variables & Data Types
What are Data Types?
Data types are the different categories of information that computers can understand.
Just like different shapes go in different holes, different data has different types .
"abc"
123
True
[ ]
Strings (str)
Strings are Text . They always live inside "Quotes" .
"Hello" "123"
Notice: Even numbers can be strings if they have quotes!
Numbers (int & float)
Integers (int)
Whole numbers. No dots!
100
Floats
Decimal numbers. Have a dot!
3.14
Booleans (bool)
Booleans are like Light Switches .
They are only True or False.
True
False
Collections
List [ ]
Ordered group of items.
[1, 2, 3]
Dict { }
Key : Value pairs.
{"id": 101}
Tuple ( )
Locked list.
(10, 20)
Set { }
Unique items.
{1, 2}
Variable Examples
Player Info
name = "Zelda" level = 50
Inventory
items = ["sword", "shield"]
Variable Power
Variables let us reuse information! We only have to type the name, not the whole value.
The Storage Sign (=)
score
=
500
Think: "Put the value 500 into the box named score ."
The Snake Rule
Computers hate SPACES in names.
Instead of a space, use an underscore _
player score
player_score
Mission Time!
Go to your Data Lab stations! Start sorting and building your code.
