According to the provided context (Example 1), the order is determined by the highest order derivative present, which is $y''$ (second derivative), making the order 2. The degree is defined only if the differential equation is a polynomial equation in its derivatives. In the given equation $y'' + 2y' + \sin y = 0$, the derivatives $y''$ and $y'$ appear as polynomials (power 1). The term $\sin y$ is a function of the dependent variable $y$, not a derivative, so it does not prevent the equation from being a polynomial in derivatives. Thus, the degree is the highest power of the highest derivative, which is 1.