Students must understand exactly what the question is asking them to do. Model reading and rereading the question or prompt several times. I typically introduce the process in January and continue to fine-tune it through the spring. The following steps outline the plan I use each year to successfully teach students to compare and contrast using paired passages. Step-by-step plan to compare and contrast text Worth trying – Consider choosing passages right at students’ ability levels or slightly below their ability levels for the first independent practice. Begin doing a bit less as a group and allow students to take on more steps by themselves.įor example, read the texts together but allow students to explore and identify similar and different points from the texts independently.Ĭontinue to use gradual release until students are completing the work independently.
This move generally takes a few practice sessions before students feel ready to begin writing an essay. Moving from comparing and contrasting objects or pictures to paired passages is a big step. Choose two texts that are related in some way, such as similar topics, genres, subject matter, etc. The next step is to compare and contrast text, such as stories and passages. For students who might struggle with independent work, meet with a small group while the others work independently. For example, students can practice comparing and contrasting independently by completing a Venn diagram by themselves. On the second day, follow the same plan, but scaffold the activities to provide more independent practice. Try to find at least three similarities and three differences for each section of the organizer. Discuss the important points that students identified and decide where on a Venn diagram they should be categorized. Next, use an interactive whiteboard or create a big Venn diagram using chart paper or the chalkboard. Depending on your students’ abilities, this can be done together as a group or individually with sticky notes. Students should identify important points or characteristics of each item or picture. an eagle.Īt this point, comparing and contrasting should be intentionally easy in order to build students’ confidence and skills. You can also use pictures of two items, such as a bus vs. Use items they can see and touch, such as earbuds vs. On the first day, practice by comparing two similar items that are familiar to students. I plan at least two days for this activity. Here are the steps and scaffolding that I use when teaching students to write compare and contrast essays.Įxplain the definitions to ensure understandingįirst, students need to understand what the words compare and contrast mean.Ĭompare means to recognize and examine how two things are similar.Ĭontrast means to recognize and examine how two things are different.Ĭompare and contrast familiar objects and pictures examples of essays – the good and the bad – to model their writing on and provide direction.
I can tell you that simply assigning more and more writing practice is not the answer. However, writing is often a struggle for these same students. Students can verbally explain how two objects are alike and different fairly easily.
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