Description

Using collected information, students compare and contrast characters from various texts within a Venn Diagram.

Materials

-6 Venn Diagrams (see color illustrations in the associated file)
-2 poems (1 about Hercules-1 about Perseus- see associated file)
-1 T-chart (see associated file)
-Student's T-charts created during Are They the Same or Different? (Comparing Two Schools and Movie Excerpt and Reading Selection Compared/Contrasted)

Procedures

1. Review with students the lesson titled, Are They the Same or Different?

2. Provide a copy of the Comparing Two Schools T-chart for each student (see associated file). (Reminder: This T-chart was used in the lesson Are They the Same or Different? All of the comparisons between the 2 schools are located in the left column and all of the contrasts are located in the right column).


3. Explain that a Venn diagram is another type of graphic organizer that is used to separate ideas. Remind students that graphic organizers can serve as practice for summarizing a reading selection. Also they enable the writer to separate compiled information in a visual way.

4. Define a Venn diagram. A Venn diagram uses circles or rings to show how two or more things are similar or different. In the left circle there are facts about elementary school (this circle is illustrated with yellow to show members of the same set). The circle on the right contains only facts about middle school (this circle is illustrated with blue). These two circles or rings are drawn to intersect. The overlapping area created by the intersecting circles (which is illustrated with green- because yellow when mixed with blue makes green) includes facts that are true for both elementary and middle schools (See color illustration in associated file).

5. Provide a copy of the Scramble Venn Diagram that compares/contrasts the elements of elementary verses middle school - incorrectly. This Venn Diagram is directly related to the T-chart Comparing Two Schools (see associated file). It is important to give students a copy of the teacher model of the T-chart comparing the 2 institutions before they unscramble the Venn Diagram. In this activity students synthesize collected information and re-organize these ideas in another type of graphic organizer.

6. Provide a copy of the empty Scramble Venn Diagram for students to write their answers for corrected version of the Venn diagram. Allow approximately 15 minutes for students to complete this task. Travel from desk to desk checking to see if each student is accomplishing successful outcomes. Provide feedback for students who do not appear to understand.

7. Use the teacher model provided in the associated file to identify expected student outcomes. After 15 minutes, show students the teacher model and ask them to self-check their answers with the model. The construction of the answers for the Scramble Venn Diagram is meant to offer students a model to follow when creating their own and should not be formatively assessed.

8. Refer to yesterday's lesson Are They the Same or Different? when students created the T-chart titled Movie Excerpt and Reading Selection Compared/Contrasted. Remind students that comparison and contrast are used in literature to identify the similarities and differences between characters from various texts. The purpose of comparing and contrasting characters form 2 texts is to help the student recognize the complex elements of character development within literature.

9. Ask students to take the T-chart and convert the information onto the Venn diagram titled Movie Excerpt and Reading Selection Venn Diagram (see associated file). Travel from desk to desk checking to see if each student has at least 5 plausible traits in each section of the Venn diagram. Provide feedback for students who do not appear to understand.

10. Distribute a copy of the student answer sheet for the Poetry Venn Diagram and a copy of the poems How to be Perseus and How to be Hercules to each student (see associated file).

11. Ask students to use the Venn diagram to compare and contrast the character traits of these 2 characters as they are displayed in these 2 poems. Ask students to identify at least 5 elements from the texts in each section of the Venn diagram. Refer to the Teacher Model/Expected Student Outcomes from the associated file to identify plausible solutions. If time does not allow for students to complete this in class, assign the completion of the Venn diagram for homework. Ask students to identify at least 5 comparison and 5 contrasts from the texts on their T-chart. The completion of this assignment will serve as the formative assessment for this lesson.

Extensions

(A) Students must know how to use a T-chart, how to identify character traits, and an ability to draw comparisons and contrasts.
(B) This is the third lesson in a mini-unit titled Mythology in the Middle.
(C) Find at least 2 narrative reading selections about Hercules that identifies several of his character traits.
(D) Students must be able to identify the similarities and differences between elementary and middle school.

The Beacon Unit Plan associated with this lesson can be viewed by clicking on the link located at the top of this page or by using the following URL: http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/search/details.asp?item=2946. Once you select the unit’s link, scroll tot the bottom of the unit plan page to find the section, “Associated Files.” This section contains links to the Unit Plan Overview, Diagnostic and Summative Assessments, and other associated files (if any).

Attached Files

A Graphic Scene Associated Files     File Extension: pdf