|
A Venn diagram strategy can be used to encourage students to compare and contrast two objects or entities. This procedure can be used with either expository text or narrative text and is effective with students at all levels. It works as follows:
1. Write the two target words/titles/topics on the board (e.g., folklore and fantasy).
2. The students list as many characteristics as they can under each word. This step may be done with the entire class, in small groups, or in pairs.
3. Draw a Venn diagram (two overlapping circles) on the board.
4. Students determine which characteristics folklore and fantasy have in common and write them in the overlapping part of the two circles.
5. Then they write the unique characteristics of each in the parts of the circles that do not overlap.
6. Discuss the diagram.
7. Students write a short paper comparing and contrasting the two genre.
With narrative text, students may also be asked to compare two characters, events, or places from the story. This strategy is particularly effective for comparing two different stories that the children have read or that the teacher has read to them.
|
