Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools
Reading in the Content Areas presents
Series Essential Question
How can implementing reading comprehension strategies improve student achievement?
Lesson Essential Question
How can compare and contrast help students better understand a text or concept?
Topic Overview
What is compare and contrast?
an analysis of how two items (or aspects) are alike and different
What are some general questions for cause and effect?
How are ___ and ___ comparable?
What are the major differences (similarities) between ___ and ___?
Which of these items seems out of place? Why?
How does compare and contrast apply across the content areas?
This skill can apply to any content area where a comparison is desired.
Math: compare two processes for reaching the same solution
What is the process to compare and contrast?
1. Identify items to be analyzed.
2. Determine the general categories to analyze.
3. Examine the details within each category.
4. Draw conclusion based on analysis.
Graphic Organizers/Strategies
Activator: Brainstorm Venn diagram
Acquisition: Students read a text and complete one of the following strategies to compare and contrast:
1. Venn diagram
2. Compare/Contrast with Summary
3. Focused Compare and Contrast
4. Matrix (several items to compare in several ways)
5. T-Chart (MATH!!)
Summarizer: Pass it on: Students write a summary of comparison/contrast for the day’s lesson.
Differentiation
Multiple Intelligences
1. Kinesthetic: Have students “Post-it Please” by writing a comparison and a contrast for a given topic and post their responses on a class-wide Venn diagram or T-chart. Ask students to read the class’ responses (or use as a SUMMARIZER).
2. Visual/Musical: ACTIVATOR: Share two paintings or songs (or other art form) with students. Brainstorm a compare and contrast list on the board in either a Venn diagram or T-chart.
Slower Learners
1. Simply the text or provide a partially completed graphic organizer.
2. Provide students with categories to compare and contrast until they can generate them on their own.
3. “Apples to Oranges”: Divide students into 2 teams. Ask students to compare/contrast familiar items (household things, popular songs, movies, artists, sports, etc.). The team who identifies the most (legitimate) comparisons gets a point.
Accelerated Learners
1. Assign students to compare and contrast higher-level elements, such as author’s tone, imagery, etc.
2. Ask students to write a compare and contrast essay using two techniques: same-same or same-different.
Some information adapted from Learning Focused materials (Learning Concepts, Inc.).