Venn Diagram Implementation Strategies

The Venn diagram Challenge task asks students to group information from a BrainPOP movie by similarities and differences. Here are some ideas for making the most of this activity:

• Assess prior knowledge. Have students complete the Challenge before watching the movie to assess prior knowledge of the topic. Observe as they complete the Venn diagram Challenge, and adjust your teaching to their needs accordingly.
• Watch the movie first. Students watch the BrainPOP movie, then preview the Venn diagram Challenge task. Have them watch the movie again, this time within the Make-a-Map feature, taking notes or creating a chart with the information they will need to complete the Challenge tasks.
• Play Sortify. If the topic includes a Sortify game, encourage students to  play the game before completing the Venn diagram Challenge task.
• Use as a springboard for discussion. Challenges are intended to encourage students to think holistically and consider how concepts within a topic are interrelated. Have a class discussion by asking the following about the Venn diagram task: Why do you think you are being asked to compare and contrast this information? What other information from this topic might you compare and contrast? What strategies did you use when deciding on where in the Venn diagram to place information? What information did you find most challenging to place and why?
• Use as a cooperative learning activity. Invite students to work collaboratively with a partner or group and explain to each other their thinking as they select where to place information.
• Create an offline Venn Diagram Challenge task. Have small groups create an offline Challenge task  based on the same topic. First, instruct them to identify two or more concepts to compare and contrast from the movie that is not already covered in the online Challenge. Then have a recorder in the group write down the information to compare and contrast. Lastly, have them swap their list with another group and challenge each other to place the information in a Venn diagram.