Compare and Contrast Glasses

Hi all! I've been completely slacking on blogging so I'm glad to be back! A while ago, I posted a picture on my Instagram of some "Magic Compare and Contrast Glasses" that I had used with my first graders. I got so many questions about them that I decided to blog about how I use them and how to put them together!

How to use the glasses: 

Well, there are a couple of different ways. One way would be to have students make the glasses when you introduce Venn Diagrams. Before introducing Venn Diagrams, I discussed with students the definitions and comparing and contrasting. We also practiced comparing and contrasting some topics that students are familiar with. Some ideas of familiar topics are: two different students in the classroom, a student and the teacher, cats, and dogs,  summer and winter, hotdogs and hamburgers. Then, I show students a Venn Diagram and show where the things that we compared and contrasted would be located.

Another way would be to make one set and use them during a whole class activity. The student who is comparing or contrasting can put on the magic glasses while they do so. I know it sounds kind of silly, but it has been a HUGE motivator. Seriously, before that my students cringed at the sight of a Venn Diagram. Now, they can't wait to have a chance to compare and contrast with a Venn Diagram!

How to assemble the glasses: 

Want to give them a try? There is a free printable at my TPT shop! Get them by clicking here or clicking the picture below!

How do you teach comparing and contrasting in your classroom? How will you use these glasses? I would love to hear about it in the comments!

Happy teaching,