![]() ![]() Brainstorm an interesting lead with the class.Open a new word processor file, where you'll compose the first sections of the essay as a group.Use the "Organizing a Paper" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide and the Compare and Contrast Map to introduce the Similarities-to-Differences structure.Print out the Venn Diagram, and make copies for students to use in later sessions.Label the circles and brainstorm as a class what is different about your topics and drag the ideas to the appropriate circle and what is the same about your topic and drag those ideas to the overlapping part of the circles.Alternately, you can draw a simple graphic organizer on the chalkboard of a Venn diagram (two overlapping circles). Open the Venn Diagram Student Interactive.Alternately, you can use the Compare and Contrast Chart Graphic Organizer if you prefer. Use the "Graphic Organizer" tab on the Comparison and Contrast Guide to introduce the Venn Diagram.You can decide or allow the class to help you decide two things to compare and contrast for the class essay.Use the Comparison and Contrast Guide to review information from the first class session as needed.From there, you will brainstorm and generate a class definition of compare and contrast making sure they understand why comparing and contrasting is important by using examples as needed.You can do this by pairing students in groups or 2-4 having them compose a list as a group and then as a coming together as a class to share ideas. As a class, brainstorm other ways students compare and contrast in their daily lives (sports teams, restaurants, toys, books, etc.).Refer to examples on the charts to clarify the difference between the two terms. Based on the information in the lists, lead a class discussion on the definitions of the words compare and contrast.Either mark these similarities using a different colored pen, or create a new chart with the column headings of "Comparison" and "Contrast." Ask students to identify characteristics that are included in both of the columns.If students need help building the lists of characteristics, ask leading questions such as "How do you decide which beverage you want to drink?" or "How do you decide which candy bar to buy?".Invite students to add and revise information as they work, moving between the two columns. Make two columns on the board or chart paper and invite students to brainstorm characteristics of first one of the objects (e.g., juice) and then the other object (e.g., milk).Be sure to choose items which students are familiar with so that the process of comparing the objects will be clearer to them. You might choose two different beverage options (juice versus milk), two candy bars (Milky Way versus Reese's Cups), or two different television programs ( SpongeBob SquarePants versus The Rugrats). Hold up or display two different objects for students to focus on as they explore the meaning of the terms compare and contrast.As an added bonus, students are frequently more eager to share personal writings with me for feedback once they see this process modeled. ![]() Students see that revision and editing are part of the fun, and that even teachers don't get it correct the first time. ![]() Of all the changes I have made in my teaching, adding explicit demonstration to everything I teach has been the single most important factor in increasing students' literacy" (24).įurther, writing out loud with students gives me an opportunity to show my enjoyment for the writing process. Whatever we want our students to do well, we first have to show them how. Rick VanDeWeghe writes of modeling: "teachers show how they go about the processes of reading and writing-drawing students' attention to the ways readers and writers think and the real decisions they make, especially when they themselves are challenged." In her book Conversations, Regie Routman explains why this modeling process is so successful: "It has always been our job to teach directly and explicitly in response to students' needs-carefully demonstrating, specifically showing how, clearly explaining. ![]()
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