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Compare & Contrast
Compare-contrast is the process of identifying how things are alike and different. Comparison refers to how two things are alike; contrast refers to how they are different. This is one of the most difficult text structures for students to understand because it requires evaluating and synthesizing. In addition, it has many variations, which can often be confusing to students. Texts that students encounter are often a combination of different compare-contrast structures.
Teaching Strategies that have been found effective in teaching the compare-contrast text structure include:
· Teaching the vocabulary that signals the compare-contrast structures. Some compare signal words are: similar, like, still, likewise, in the same ways, in comparison, at the same time, in the same manner. Some contrast signal words are: however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless, conversely, rather, on the contrary, nonetheless, in contrast.
· Teaching the two general kinds of compare-contrast structures, for example:
1. The whole-to-whole (divided) pattern of comparison (A+B), i.e., the first thing is discussed in entirety, and then the second thing is discussed.
2. The part-to-part (alternating) pattern of comparison (A/B + A/B), i.e., elements of the first thing are discussed, then elements of the second. This process is then repeated.
· Teaching the use of graphic organizers while reading and writing.
Comparison is the process of identifying how things are alike and different. Comparing requires children to think about the very specific attributes or characteristics of the thing that they're observing and studying. Comparing promotes vocabulary development, concept development, and higher level thinking. Further, comparing gives children a cognitive strategy to help them mentally organize the information they're learning. Finally, comparing is a strategy that supports learning in all subjects when two or more similar items in a category can be compared. Categories might include places, historical events, animal groups, planets, famous people, modes of transportation, systems of the body, diseases, types of clouds, etc.
A number of instructional strategies help children develop an understanding of what comparison is and use that concept of comparison to support learning, reading, and writing. These strategies can be used by parents in real world situations or by teachers in instructional situations. Further, some of the strategies can help children write reports, comprehend while they're reading, or study for tests. The following strategies provide students with varied experiences related to the concept of comparison.
Venn Diagram. A Venn diagram consists of two overlapping concentric circles. One circle is labeled with one item to be compared, such as "insects." The other circle is labeled with the other item to be compared such as "spiders." Through observation, discussion, and perhaps reading, the children learn how insects and spiders are similar and different. The words that describe insects only are written in the outer part of the insect circle. The words that describe only spiders are written in the outer part of the spider circle. The words in the outer parts of the circles should focus on how insects and spiders are different. Words that describe how insects and spiders are similar/alike should be written in the "shared" overlapping area of the two circles. Venn diagrams provide a good, graphic way to help children conceptualize similarities and differences between items. This makes it an excellent strategy for promoting discussion in class and a good strategy for helping children learn comparisons when studying for tests.
 azurewealtheow · Fri Feb 16, 2007 @ 06:48am · 0 Comments |
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