Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Kids, Meet the Venn Diagram

I'm back with another way that I use the joys of stickiness in my classroom.  (Did you see my post about labels?  Go here if you're interested.)  Oddly enough, I find it useful to use labels when teaching about coins and Venn Diagrams.  I'll explain.  Below are two lovely assistants holding coins.


The rest of the class looks for details on both sides of the coins.  Volunteers say, "I notice that..." and I write down what they notice and stick it to the appropriate person.  If they notice something that both coins share, the label belongs on both kids.  (You can see three such labels in the picture.  They think that's the funniest thing.)



Once we've noticed the fronts and backs of both coins, I draw  a blank Venn Diagram on the chart, but I don't mention its name quite yet.  We then remove the labels from the kids and figure out where they would belong on the circles.  They especially love it when I remove the labels that the two kids share.  (I think the assistants donate a few hairs in the process.)  The kids figure out pretty quickly that the labels that were shared must fit in the middle.  Only after all the labels are removed do I give this whole circle business a name.  "Kids, meet the Venn Diagram."


Regie Routman says that "One demonstration is rarely enough," so we repeat this same procedure with other coin combinations.  It's great for coin identification, but it's also a very meaningful and sticky fun way of introducing the Venn Diagram.  I'm thinking there are other ways to teach a concept using assistants, labels, and the Venn Diagram.  Hmm?


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25 comments:

  1. Cute idea with actually putting the stickies on the students! 1...2...3...Teach With Me

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  2. Love this idea. I'll be doing it tomorrow with my kids and pennies and nickels. Thanks for sharing. Or maybe soemthing similar with oceans and rainforests. My wheels are turning.

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    1. Ms. Kerri, I'm glad that your wheels are turning. Let me know how it goes!

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    2. We did it with nickels and pennies today and it was great. They did so well with the venn diagram and loved putting the labels on their friends. I shared this idea with a couple of other teachers in upper grades today. Thanks for sharing.

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    3. Ms. Kerri, I just love that you tried it and it worked so well. Thank you for coming back to let me know how it went!

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  3. I have never thought to do the Venn Diagram this way!! This is such a great way to visually show how the description fits on both. Thank you for this new idea!!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, you're very welcome and thanks as always for your consistent appearance here on my blog!

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  4. Wonderful idea!

    First Grade Delight
    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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    1. Delighted, thank you. I love that you dropped by and left a comment.

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  5. What a great idea! So fun to actually put the stickies on the kids! I'll be trying it in my classroom soon!
    Julie
    Light A Fire in Third

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    1. Julie, thanks for the comment! I imagine 3rd graders enjoy a good sticky visual as well.

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  6. I needed this! Thank you so much. I'm going to do it next week when I can spend some time reviewing supposedly previously learned info.

    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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  7. I can't wait to use this! Thanks for sharing. I'm your newest follower!
    Jenny

    Owl Things First

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    1. Jenny, I'm glad to hear you'll be trying this out too. Thanks so much for dropping by and sticking around!

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  8. Thank you Jennifer. I'm glad you came by.

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  9. Oh my goodness!! So cute! I love the idea. Thanks for sharing. I just became a follower and would love if you could stop by my very new blog.

    totallyterrificteachingtools.blogspot.com

    Lohren Nolan

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    1. Lohren, I'd love it if you followed me. Thanks so much. I'll definitely drop by your blog!

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  10. I just found your blog, I'd love for you to follow mine.

    I love this idea, I can see how the kids would really get into it.

    Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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    1. Kelly, thanks for finding me. I cherish every new friend here on my blog. I'm off to visit your blog. Thanks for the invite.

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  11. What a cute lesson! We are learning about money for the rest of the year and I think I w ill give it a try. I wanted to stop by and say thank you for all of your sweet comments.

    Ashley

    http://firstgradesmartcookies.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Ashley. I hope it works well for you and your kids. Thanks for coming by.

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  12. That is a very clever and memorable way to teach!
    I seriously wish I could sit in your class for a couple of days!
    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers

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    1. Barbara, likewise! I'm wishing Canada and Boise were a little closer.

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