A Venn diagram strategy is a technique that can be used to encourage students to compare and contrast two objects or entities. It is used in vocabulary development to enable students to understand a new concept by comparing it to one that they already know. This procedure can be used with either narrative or expository text and is effective with students at all levels.
1. The teacher writes the two target words (e.g., the new concept amphibians and the familiar concept reptiles) on the board.
2. The students list as many characteristics as they can under each word (the teacher may need to supply photographs or illustrations). This step may be done with the entire class, in small groups, or in pairs.
3. The teacher or a student draws the Venn diagram (two overlapping circles) on the board.
4. The students determine which characteristics amphibians and reptiles have in common and write them in the overlapping part of the two circles.
5. Then they write the unique characteristics of each concept in the parts of the circles that do not overlap.
6. After reading the text, students can add to their lists of characteristics in Step 2 and then continue with Steps 4 and 5.
7. The teacher and students discuss the revised diagram, and the students can then write one or two paragraphs comparing and contrasting the two concepts.
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