The document provides guidance for teaching the skill of comparing and contrasting over three weeks. It defines comparing as finding how things are alike, noting clue words like "same" and "likewise." Contrasting finds how things are different, using clue words like "but" and "however." Students will compare and contrast people, places, objects, and events using graphic organizers and identifying compare/contrast statements. The strategies aim to develop critical reading and thinking skills.

1. Compare andCompare and
ContrastContrast
Instructional Focus Area ForInstructional Focus Area For
Weeks 19-21Weeks 19-21

2. Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast
The Benchmark:The Benchmark:
The student recognizes the use ofThe student recognizes the use of
comparison and contrast in a text.comparison and contrast in a text.
LA.A.2.2.7LA.A.2.2.7

3. Important Vocabulary andImportant Vocabulary and
DefinitionsDefinitions
• Compare: Finding how two or more thingsCompare: Finding how two or more things
are alike. Clue words that tell how thingsare alike. Clue words that tell how things
are alike;are alike; same, like, both, alike, still,same, like, both, alike, still,
likewise, in the same ways, inlikewise, in the same ways, in
comparisons, at the same time, in thecomparisons, at the same time, in the
same manner, and similar.same manner, and similar.

4. Contrast: Finding how things are different. Clue wordsContrast: Finding how things are different. Clue words
that tell how things are different; but, unlike, different,that tell how things are different; but, unlike, different,
however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless,however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless,
conversely, rather, on the contrary, nonetheless, andconversely, rather, on the contrary, nonetheless, and
whereas.whereas.
People, places, objects, and events can all be comparedPeople, places, objects, and events can all be compared
and contrasted.and contrasted.
Comparing and contrasting text is one of the mostComparing and contrasting text is one of the most
challenging critical reading skills to acquire because itchallenging critical reading skills to acquire because it
requires evaluating and synthesizingrequires evaluating and synthesizing..

5. Graphic Organizers:Graphic Organizers:
• Venn DiagramVenn Diagram
• Three column notesThree column notes
• Character mappingCharacter mapping
• Semantic Feature AnalysisSemantic Feature Analysis

6. Application of Strategy:Application of Strategy:
• Compare and contrast two events, characters,Compare and contrast two events, characters,
settings, or ideas in a selectionsettings, or ideas in a selection
• Identify compare and contrast statements andIdentify compare and contrast statements and
clue words in a given textclue words in a given text
• Write similes, metaphors, and analogies thatWrite similes, metaphors, and analogies that
compare and contrast two or more thingscompare and contrast two or more things
• Demonstrate the results of compare andDemonstrate the results of compare and
contrast in a graphic organizercontrast in a graphic organizer

7. Critical Thinking Questions:Critical Thinking Questions:
• How did the author help readers learn newHow did the author help readers learn new
ideas by comparing and contrasting?ideas by comparing and contrasting?
• What text-to-text, text-to-world, or text-to-What text-to-text, text-to-world, or text-to-
self connections can you make?self connections can you make?
• What similes, metaphors, or analogies didWhat similes, metaphors, or analogies did
the author use to make comparisons?the author use to make comparisons?
• What ideas did the author compare andWhat ideas did the author compare and
contrast?contrast?

8. A Critical Thinking Skill, theA Critical Thinking Skill, the
Rationale:Rationale:
Comparing and contrasting text is a criticalComparing and contrasting text is a critical
thinking skill. Mastering the skill leadsthinking skill. Mastering the skill leads
students toward proficiency in reading,students toward proficiency in reading,
writing, analyzing problems and makingwriting, analyzing problems and making
decisions.decisions.

9. Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies
Using one of the books from the “LiteratureUsing one of the books from the “Literature
Suggestions,” plan and present a Think-Aloud,Suggestions,” plan and present a Think-Aloud,
modeling how to apply the skills for comparingmodeling how to apply the skills for comparing
and contrasting.and contrasting.
Teach the vocabulary that signals the compareTeach the vocabulary that signals the compare
and contrast by identifying these words in text.and contrast by identifying these words in text.
Teach and model the use of graphic organizersTeach and model the use of graphic organizers
while reading and writing.while reading and writing.

10. Venn DiagramVenn Diagram
What is it? A Venn diagram is an graphicWhat is it? A Venn diagram is an graphic
organizer that allows students to create aorganizer that allows students to create a
visual map that contains two overlappingvisual map that contains two overlapping
circles enabling them to organize theircircles enabling them to organize their
thinking as they compare and contrastthinking as they compare and contrast
information in text.information in text.

11. Thinking MapsThinking Maps
• Thinking maps integrate thinking skills andThinking maps integrate thinking skills and
mapping techniques. Learning to usemapping techniques. Learning to use
these strategies helps students developthese strategies helps students develop
good writing skills. These techniques alsogood writing skills. These techniques also
help students become better learners ashelp students become better learners as
they develop life-long skills that help themthey develop life-long skills that help them
to study.to study.

12. Double Bubble Thinking MapsDouble Bubble Thinking Maps
When comparing and contrasting we use double bubbleWhen comparing and contrasting we use double bubble
maps. This is similar in concept to a Venn diagram.maps. This is similar in concept to a Venn diagram.
Two items being compared are written in the two centerTwo items being compared are written in the two center
circles. Outside bubbles display items that sharecircles. Outside bubbles display items that share
qualities with only one object-these are contrastingqualities with only one object-these are contrasting
qualities. Center bubbles that connect to both circlesqualities. Center bubbles that connect to both circles
show similarities between the two items being compared.show similarities between the two items being compared.
http://www.thinkingmaps.com/httmexam.php3http://www.thinkingmaps.com/httmexam.php3

13. Double Bubble MapDouble Bubble Map

14. Special Points of InterestSpecial Points of Interest
FACT:FACT:
3rd grade:3rd grade: 40% of the FCAT questions use expository text40% of the FCAT questions use expository text
4th & 5th grade:4th & 5th grade: 50% of the FCAT questions use expository text50% of the FCAT questions use expository text
Key Questions:Key Questions:
How are ___ and ___ alike?How are ___ and ___ alike?
How are you like ___ (person)?How are you like ___ (person)?
How is your family like ___’s (person’s) family?How is your family like ___’s (person’s) family?
What did ___ and ___ (person or animal) do that is alike? ( canWhat did ___ and ___ (person or animal) do that is alike? ( can
compare 3)compare 3)
Think about ___ and ___ (people) in the story. How are they alike?Think about ___ and ___ (people) in the story. How are they alike?
How are they different? How are they different?

15. Literature Suggestions:Literature Suggestions:
• Borreguita and the CoyoteBorreguita and the Coyote
• Solomon and the Rusty NailSolomon and the Rusty Nail
• The Girl who Loved HorsesThe Girl who Loved Horses
• Lon Po PoLon Po Po
• Song and Dance ManSong and Dance Man
• Deep in the ForestDeep in the Forest
• Fish Is FishFish Is Fish

16. Extension Activities FCRRExtension Activities FCRR Just ReadJust Read
Florida Activity Binder:Florida Activity Binder:
Character Characteristics:Character Characteristics:
Students describe a character by using a graphic organizer. Grade 2-3 (C.001)Students describe a character by using a graphic organizer. Grade 2-3 (C.001)
Compare-A-Character:Compare-A-Character:
Students will identify similarities and differencesStudents will identify similarities and differences
between characters.between characters.
Grade 2-3(C.002)Grade 2-3(C.002)
Word Analysis:Word Analysis:
Students will identify similarities and differences between the meaning of wordsStudents will identify similarities and differences between the meaning of words
Grade K-1(V.029)Grade K-1(V.029)
Semantic Feature Analysis:Semantic Feature Analysis:
Students will identify similarities and differences between the meaning ofStudents will identify similarities and differences between the meaning of
words.words.
Grade K-1 (V.032)Grade K-1 (V.032)