Venn Diagrams

Venn Diagrams are visual representations that show the similarities and differences between concepts. They can be created by overlapping two (or more) ovals or circles. Teachers or students can list the characteristics or attributes of the concepts, ideas, or topics in the respective ovals.  Those characteristics which are shared are listed in the overlapping portion of the ovals.

They originated in math instruction and can be used to indicate relationships between sets. They can be applied to other areas such as literature where they can be used to compare similarities and differences between genres, characters, settings, stories, images, or poems.

As graphic organizers, they allow students to formulate their thoughts. With the two below, students might list the similarities between the republicans and democrats in C and the differences in A or B. History students might use Figure 1 to compare Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece. Or they might compare the North and South in the period leading to the American Civil War.       
                    
 
                              Figure 1
                           venn gif



Venn Diagrams may include Overlapping Concepts. Create a central idea, category, or class with supporting facts with overlapping areas used to represent information that is being compared and contrasted.


                overlapping Venn

Venn  
Warped Galaxy and the Whirlpool Galaxy

How to use it in the classroom
Teachers can use Graphic Organizer: Comparison of the Warped Galaxy and the Whirlpool Galaxy as:

• A reference tool. Clarify the similarities and differences between these two views of spiral galaxies.

• A model. Show students how to use this type of graphic organizer. Explain how to analyze the contents and display summary information.

• An organization tool. This type of graphic organizer can be used to formulate and arrange students' thoughts before composing essays about almost any topic. In this case, ask students to compose an essay that identifies similarities and differences between the edge-on view of the Warped Galaxy and the face-on view of the Whirlpool Galaxy. Source: Amazing Space    

Check the examples at : http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/readquest/strat/venn.html

Venn Diagram Generator:  http://www.venndiagram.com/venn01.html

Blank Venn Diagram: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/venn.pdf


Sample lesson:

Life Cycle of a Mountain: http://www.math.montana.edu/~nmp/materials/ess/mountain_environments/intermediate/cycle_int_low.html

Chemical weathering can be demonstrated by pouring vinegar on a sedimentary rock. Oxidation can be observed by studying a rusty piece of metal.

Compare and contrast Appalachian and Rocky Mountain environments. These mountains are at different stages in their life cycle. Using the above pictures or other Internet images found at places like Great Smoky Mountain and Yellowstone national parks, create a Venn diagram which compares and contrasts these two mountain ranges. Begin by having students list observable differences and similarities for both types of mountain ranges. Discuss with the students the fact that the Rockies are newer mountains, and the Appalachians are older mountains that have experienced weathering and erosion to a larger degree, thus creating a more rounded mountainscape.