Trinity University
I Didn’t Know that was Poetry
Poetry or prose? That is the question facing middle schoolers as they begin a month-long poetry unit by examining the characteristics that differentiate poetry and prose writing. Pupils learn about poetic devices and different types of...
Curated OER
Practicing Critical Reading Skills
In this reading skills worksheet, students read about skills to use while reading and then fill out a Venn Diagram. Students choose which items to go into their Venn Diagram.
Curated OER
An Introduction to Nonfiction
Examine the elements of nonfiction writings in this lesson plan. Learners list common features of nonfiction and compare nonfiction and fiction books on the same topic. Create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two genres.
Curated OER
Beautiful Bovine
Looking for a fun and interactive way to explore bovine biology? Learners read a brief informational text (included for printing) before participating in several cross-curricular activities. First, grab their attention with a hilarious...
Curated OER
Making Predictions
Students collect and classify items. In this making predictions lesson, students go outside and collect specimens of plants, insects and minerals. They classify each item and place them in a Venn Diagram. Students compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Learning From the Past
Coming up on the Olympics? Be sure your middle schoolers understand the dynamic and ancient history of this global tradition. They begin by recalling traditions parents have passed down, considering their relevance and ways they might be...
EngageNY
Mid-Unit Assessment: Small Group Discussion: How Do Modern Poems Portray Modern Adversities?
How is a poem similar to and different from a news article? Pupils use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the two genres. Also, as part of a mid-unit assessment, scholars participate in small-group discussions based on poetry...
Personal Genetics Education Project
Using Primary Sources to Examine the History of Eugenics
Eugenics philosophy takes survival of the fittest to a whole new level. With a research-focused lesson, young scientists examine the history of the eugenics movement and its impact on society. Pupils engage with a video clip, primary...
Advocates for Human Rights
The Rights of the Child
Don't be fooled by the size of the resource: these few pages provide the blueprint for a substantial, thoughtful unit on children's rights and the different philosophies and approaches that the United States and other countries have...
PBS
Malcolm X: Minister and Civil Rights Activist
Any study of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement would be incomplete without an examination of the life of Malcolm X. Class members view a short biographical video and analyze primary source documents to gain an understanding of the...
Scholastic
Thanksgiving Lessons Grades 3-5
Students explore the first Thanksgiving. In this holiday lesson, students create a KWL chart on what they know about the first Thanksgiving and conduct Internet research on this topic. Students use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Pairing with Picture Books: Chasing Lincoln's Killer
Readers of Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, James L Swanson’s young adult novel, use a Venn diagram to compare information about Abraham Lincoln and the events surrounding his assassination, with the images and information presented in picture...
Curated OER
Comparing Two Tree Types
In this trees activity, students use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two kinds of trees. Students choose two varieties of trees before filling in this chart.
Curated OER
Venn Diagram
In this social studies graphic organizer learning exercise, students use a blank Venn diagram to compare and contrast any two ideas, events, people or concepts. There are no directions.
Curated OER
Johnny Appleseed & Miss Rumphius
Students read American folktales. They explore and discuss the characteristics of a folktale. Students construct a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Lupine Lady and Johnny Appleseed. Class diagrams will be displayed.
Curated OER
Column Venn Diagram
In this column Venn diagram worksheet, students use this blank three-column graphic organizer to list unique and shared characteristics of two issues or ideas.
Curated OER
Venn Diagram
In this Venn diagram worksheet, students use this blank Venn diagram to compare and contrast any two ideas or objects. This is a blank graphic organizer.
PHET
The Dynamic Nature of the Sun
In this second lesson plan of the series, pupils learn to observe similarities and differences in photos of the sun and record them in a Venn diagram. Then, small groups practice the same skill on unique images before presenting...
Council for Economic Education
Athens and Sparta-Imagine the Possibilities
Both Athens and Sparta made choices to survive in ancient Greece. Those choices were, in essence, economic ones about how to direct resources. A Venn diagram activity and reading ask class members to examine the connection between...
Biology Junction
Introduction to the Plant Kingdom
Plants provide humans with food, shelter, and medications. Scholars gain a better appreciation for plants after learning their functions, divisions, and early ancestors. Each sub-topic includes slides highlighting vocabulary and...
National Wildlife Federation
Endangered Species: What and Where?
What do endangered species have in common with non-endangered species? Given an endangered species to read about, individuals choose another species that is not endangered to compare it to. As a class, they create a species book with the...
ReadWriteThink
What is Poetry? Contrasting Poetry and Prose
Introduce middle schoolers to the different strategies used when reading prose versus poetry. Groups use a Venn diagram and a poetry analysis handout to compare the characteristics of an informational text and a poem on the same...
Saline Area Schools
Moving Home: A Map Skills Project
You have just been informed you are moving, but you have the choice of three locations. Where do you go? This is the question class members answer in a map skills project. Learners examine three locations using maps, gather...
Curated OER
Gingerbread Baby v. Gingerbread Boy #7
Students compare and contrast the gingerbread baby in their story to the original gingerbread boy. They use a Venn diagram to easily see the similarities and differences.