A kinesthetic technique for learning to recognize elements and compounds is presented in this article. The current common pedagogy appears to merge recognition and implementation into one naming method. A separate recognition skill is critical to students being able to correctly name and write the formulas of compounds. This article focuses on that recognition skill--distinguishing between different types of elements and compounds--using simple ordered recognition techniques (SORTs) to help students to practice it. The SORT method was a way to move toward a method of instruction where all steps necessary for the process of writing formulas and naming compounds were taught explicitly and modeled.