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Dec 4, 2010

Whole Group Compare & Contrast

Before actually starting compare and contrast activities in any kind of independent workstations, I teach compare and contrast in a whole group setting. Together, we make some of the following anchor charts.

The first big one that we make is comparing fiction and non-fiction. It kind of hits two standards at once.

After this initial compare and contrast introduction during our fiction and non-fiction lessons, we read books that we can compare and contrast different characters and animals. Also, we compare and contrast books that have a lot of similarities, yet many differences. Once you start looking for books to compare and contrast, the possibilities are endless. One of my favorite types of books to do are some of the classic folk tale type books---i.e. Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears--because there are MANY versions of each. Later this year, we will do a Cinderella unit and compare and contrast the versions from different cultures.

Here are some examples that we created together.






Remember, once we create these anchor charts together, students are then able to create some with a partner. One activity that we did was to compare themselves with their partners. Also, they could compare themselves to a character in a book that you read. Everyone's diagrams will be unique. Eventually, I use some of the short passages from the Compare and Contrast book that I mentioned using in the Compare and Contrast Workstations to use as an assessment to determine whether students are understanding the concept of comparing and contrasting or not.


Eventually, the Compare and Contrast Workstations are added to the literacy workstations in my classroom and students are able to work on this skill on their own. I will keep this activity throughout the school year to continue to challenge students.

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