Venn Diagram of Two Mates - Activity Instructions

Activity Description

Let’s work with a friend to build early literacy skills. In this activity, children practice speaking, listening and considering as they work with a friend to identify similarities they share and what is unique to each of them. This is a ‘Find Out’ activity following on from reading Two Mates, by Melanie Prewett.

Tune In

While reading ‘Two Mates’, take time throughout the book to pause and highlight the similarities and differences they share.

where they live
things they enjoy doing
the way they look
what they like to eat.

Find Out

Create a Venn diagram, visually representing the similarities and differences between Jack and Raf. Use the template provided as an example to show the children what they will be creating, comparing themselves and a peer.

Work your way through the prompts of eye colour, hair colour, where they live, and then ask the children to provide examples from the book of the things the children like doing that are the same/ different. Once these differences/similairites have been discussed, ask the children to offer any other things that could be added to the venn diagram.

When Raf’s wheelchair is brought up, ask the children about the author’s choice to wait until the very end of the book to tell the reader that Raf was in a wheelchair.

“Why do you think we had to wait until the very end of the book to find out that Raf was in a wheelchair? When people talk about Raf, do you think they say the boy with the brown hair or the boy in the wheelchair? Do you think they say the boy who is the best barni (gonna) spotter, or the boy in the wheelchair?"

Explain to the children that, yes, Raf uses a wheelchair, but that’s only a very tiny part of who he is as a person. We learnt a lot about what Raf and Jack liked doing together, and the fact that Raf was in a wheelchair did not stop them from doing those things or being good friends. It is just another part of who Raf is.”

Take Action

Have two children sit together with you at a time as you have a discussion with them to find out some similarities and differences between the pair that can be put onto a Venn diagram.

Initially, have the children draw a picture of themselves inside the Polaroid frame and write their names below.

Use the template provided to help the children represent their findings. “Let’s start with some of the ways you look similar or different. What colour eyes do you both have?” If children have the same colour eyes, have them work together to colour in the eyes, cut them out and glue them in the section where the two circles intersect. If they have different coloured eyes, they can each colour an eye the appropriate colour and glue it in the circle on their side of the page.

Continue this for the remainder of the categories in the template

hairstyle/colour
where they live
pets
things they enjoy doing.

If the children think of other things that make them similar or different, these can be drawn in by the children or written in by the teacher.

Venn Diagram of Two Mates

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