Using the Venn Diagram to Teach English

» hilside - I'd like to clear something up..

I am a former special education teacher. While what you have described is a great tool for teaching concepts in just the manner you described, I'm afraid you are confusing two types of strategies. What you have described (usually referred to as a concept web or map) is not the same thing as a Venn diagram.

A Venn diagram is used to compare and contrast. Two (or more, but we'll use two here for simplicity's sake) large circles are drawn, overlapping in the center. Unique aspects of the topics being compared and contrasted are placed in the non-overlapping parts of the circles, while similarities are placed in the center. For example, I once designed an activity where my students read two versions of the Cinderella tale. One version included three dresses and a magic acorn, so these were placed in one circle. The other featured just one dress and a fairy godmother, so these went in the second circle. Both stories featured an evil stepmother and a midnight curfew, so these were placed in the overlapping space.

I hope I've cleared this up. Just didn't want anyone to get confused.

-- posted by hilside

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» Irene Taylor - Re: I'd like to clear something up..

In response to message posted by hilside:

I agree! I just came across this article just now, and what is being described is NOT a Venn Diagram. Hilside rightly describes a Venn Diagram as a tool to compare and contrast. I was wondering how that could be used as a way to teach English!

What Janet describes is a web or a brainstorming tool.

Irene

-- posted by Irene Taylor

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