Magic Ring Lesson

Anita Dehner

Brief Lesson Summary
Using a paper 3 ring magic lesson, introduce the concept of the Venn diagram model.
Perform the magic trick as a hook to engage the interests and curiosity of the students
about the lesson topic as suggested in Heacox (2009, p. 59). After the 3 ring magic
lesson, students will have the opportunity to record their favorite ice-cream flavor, as a
way of giving students individual choices in to engage student interest. Personal
interests are typically linked to a students strengths, cultural context, personal
experiences, questions, or sense of need as suggested in Leading and Managing A
Differentiated Classroom (Tomlinson & Imbeau, 2010, p. 17). Students will have the
opportunity to organize data, analyze the data using the Venn diagram, and demonstrate
their knowledge of what a Venn diagram looks like and how it works based on the exit
slip idea taken from Making Differentiation a Habit (Heacox, 2009, p. 62).

Established Goals (State / #Common Core Standards): (Grade 1)
Data Analysis and Probability Standard
5.1 Pose questions, use observations, interviews and surveys to collect data, and organize data
in charts, picture graphs, and bar graphs.


Understandings
Students will understand that a Venn diagram is a type of graph used to organize and
compare two different categories.

Students will understand what a Venn diagram looks like and how it is used to compare
two different categories.

Resources and Materials
3 magic paper rings, scissors, crayons, tape, ice-cream cones to color, giant Venn
diagram on board, Venn diagram exit slips.

Focus question
What is a venn diagram?

Opening Discussion
Start by sharing the 3 ring magic trick with students as a hook. Cut the first ring and it
makes two separate rings. Cut the second ring and it makes one giant ring. Cut the
third
ring and it makes two rings joined together (hence the venn diagram). While cutting the
rings ask students to make predictions about each ring what they think the finished
product will look like. It is fun to hear all of the different processes of thinking.

After the magic trick, ask students if they think the 3
rd
ring looks like anything they have
seen before. Discuss the similarities between the rings joined together and a venn
diagram, as well as, what we use a venn diagram for, and what the students already know


or want to know about a venn diagram.
Activity
Hand out the copied ice-cream cones, and have students choose and color their favorite
ice-cream flavor, between chocolate or vanilla, on the copied ice-cream cones. After
students record their favorite ice-cream flavor have them cut out the ice-cream cones.
For
the students who are not able to cut around the lines of the cone draw an oval line around
the cone in marker for the student to cut out.

Once students have cut out their ice-cream cones and shared and compared their favorite
flavors, have the students identify where the cones will go on the giant venn diagram
posted on the wall. If the ice-cream cones have two dips it would be easy to allow
students with a clear understanding of the lesson to color both flavors (chocolate and
vanilla) in order to include the section for both in the venn diagram.

After all the students have had a chance to record their favorite flavors on the venn
diagram (with tape) have students analyze the data on the venn diagram. Ask questions
like: How do we know which flavor had more votes?
How many more students like chocolate?
What if someone voted that they like strawberry, instead of chocolate or vanilla,
where would we put that?

Exit slip
Have students complete a half sheet with a venn diagram recording the results of our
study.
The slips will be differentiated based on the students level of ability. Some slips will
have the category both and some will just have the C and V category
options.

3 viable forms of assessment
1. Students will record their favorite ice-cream flavor by coloring an ice-cream cone
brown (for chocolate), or white (for vanilla) and then cut the ice-cream cone out and put
it in the appropriate category on the Venn diagram. The three categories are Chocolate,
Vanilla, and Both.
2. Students will analyze data on the Venn diagram after completing their ice-cream cone.
3. Students will complete an exit slip of drawing a Venn diagram on a slip of paper with
the categories labeled (C for chocolate, V for vanilla, and Both in the center ring).