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What is Compare & Contrast?
Compare
and Contrast is used to highlight similarities and differences between
to things. It is a process where the act of classification is practiced.
It is effectively used in conjunction with indirect instructional
methods, but can also be used directly to teach vocabulary signals,
classification, nomenclature and key characteristics. It is often
presented in either written text paragraphs or a chart. Its most
common use is as a graphic organizer of content.
What
is its purpose?
Compare
and Contrast is used to help students distinguish between types
of ideas or group like ideas. It can be used to help students identify
language cues, clarify thinking and define ideas.
It can also be used to facilitate indirect instruction through concept
formation or concept attainment.
How
can I do it?
The
most common form of comparison and contrast is a chart. The paper
is divided down the middle and the two columns have specific functions.
The comparison side is used to list similarities between two things,
and the differences are listed in the contrast column. The student
typically completes the chart after a form of direct instruction
such as reading, listening or viewing. Following the completion
of the chart, some form of debriefing is used to help student make
generalizations based on the items that fall into each category
or column. This debriefing might be discussion, journaling, or any
other form of reflective thinking.
How
can I adapt it?
Comparison
and contrast is a useful method for improving reading skills and
listening skills. When students are struggling with finding meaning
in either the spoken or written word, a comparison and contrast
for specific language tools is a powerful tool. Specific words signal
comparative ideas in language. For example in comparison, at the
same time, or similarly signal sameness and on the other hand, but,
nevertheless yet, however, and in contrast show that things are
in opposition. Students can be given a list of words and then use
them as cues to pull ideas out a passage. This is a decoding tool
that can be adapted across grade and subject.
Teacher
Resources
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