GEMS project

AUTHOR'S NAME: Laura Lee Muchmore

TITLE OF THE LESSON: An Introduction to Venn Diagrams: A New Challenge for Sorting Treasure

TECHNOLOGY LESSON: No

DATE OF LESSON: 9/27/07

LENGTH OF LESSON: 45-60 minutes

NAME OF COURSE: 2^nd/ 3^rd grade science and math

SOURCE OF THE LESSON: GEMS Treasure Boxes Guide

TEKS ADDRESSED: 2.5 (A) Classify and sequence organisms, objects, and events based on properties and patterns.

3.2(E) Construct simple graphs, tables, maps and charts to organize, examine, and evaluate information.

CONCEPT STATEMENT: The term “Venn Diagram” is used to refer to two circles containing objects that overlap, or intersect. The overlap occurs when the objects share common attributes. This activity encourages students to use logical thinking skills to be able to select attributes which overlap.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to

Students will correctly sort objects in treasure boxes according to attributes.
Students will learn to identify common attributes.
Students will be able to create their own Venn Diagrams using their sorted treasure boxes and yarn loops.

RESOURCES:

1 treasure box

16 filled treasure boxes

1 sheet of 12”x 18” construction paper

3 pieces of 2” x 4” paper to label the Venn diagram

Chart paper

1 marker

16 cups or other containers to hold a subset of treasure

16 36” lengths of yarn in one color Venn diagrams

16 36” lengths of yarn in different color for Venn diagrams

16 small plastic bags (for yarn loops)

32 student journals or sheets of paper

32 pencils

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: Make sure to remind the children (especially the younger ones) not to place the treasures in their mouths. Also, remind the children that all treasures belong to the class as a whole.

SUPLEMENTARY MATERIALS, HANDOUTS: none

Engagement

Time: 10 minutes

Gather the students together and tell them that they are going to sort treasures in a new way. Pour the contents of a treasure box, such as buttons, onto the sheet of construction paper.

Ask the students to describe the buttons.

What is an attribute?

Round, shiny, 4 holes, 2 holes, colors, textures, etc.

Attributes describe things such as color, size, and shape.

Exploration

Time: 10 minutes

Together, the students will sort the buttons into two smaller groups in a new way using yarn loops. The yarn loops will be set into two distinct circles on the 2” x 4” paper, label one circle “round” and the other circle “small”

Holding up different buttons, ask the students to correctly place the buttons in the appropriate circle.

Eventually hold up a button that is both round and small. Where does this button go?

Does this button belong in both groups?

Students may have a difficult time distinguishing which attributes will produce an overlap. Make sure the students understand what attributes are (both similar and different).

Explanation

Time: 10 minutes

After at least 20 buttons have been sorted into their appropriate place within the yarn loops, tell the students that they have just used a Venn diagram to organize the buttons.

What is a Venn diagram?

How is it useful?

A Venn diagram is a tool used to organize information.
Venn diagrams are useful for sorting and categorizing objects.

Make sure that the students explain their thinking when discussing their Venn diagrams

Elaboration

Time: 20 minutes

Next, tell students to pick a partner and sort a different treasure box using a Venn diagram

What other ways besides “round” and “small” might there be to create a new Venn diagram?

What groups would not work with a Venn diagram? Why not?

Shiny, dull, ridges, metal, plastic, cloth, etc.

Students will not be able to use color as an attribute because there would be no intersection. Single colors have no overlapping characteristics.

Evaluation		Time: 10 minutes
After circulating and observing the student pairs, have the students circulate and observe the other students’ Venn diagrams. Have them explain their diagrams to one another. Have the students return to their desks and record their Venn diagrams in their journals.	Did the Venn diagrams make it easier or harder to sort the treasures?	This activity may need to be repeated the following day in order for all of the students to grasp the idea of Venn diagrams. Students can be challenged to make new Venn diagrams from other treasure boxes in their free time as well. Make sure that students know that learning from mistakes is a valuable lesson.

GEMS Treasure Boxes