Venn Diagrams for Getting to Know Each Other

Posted on September 9, 2005

Yesterday I visited in Sally Fuesner's and Micheala Whitman's classrooms. Micheala and Sally team together in the 3rd / 4th grade multiage wing of the Hinesburg Community School. This summer Sally took a two day workshop on Project CRISS (CReating Independence through Student-owned Strategies). Project (CRISS) is designed to help all students read, write, and learn more effectively. You can get more information on Project CRISS at: http://www.projectcriss.com/.

Students were working in pairs creating Venn Diagrams about themselves. A Venn diagram consists of two linked circles. In the left section of the circle one student put information that was unique to him. In the right section of the second circle, the second student put information that was unique to her. In the section where the two circles overlap (the center of the page) the students listed information about themselves that they had in common.

This was a great example of taking an academic skill of organizing material and relating it to a fun relationship building activity! When the diagrams are complete they will be displayed in the hallway. I will take a few pictures and show you some examples in the next few weeks. Great idea. Thanks Sally and Michaela.