Identifying Compare and Contrast Key Words

This Second grade unit provides lesson plans for comparing and contrasting. The first two lessons build background knowledge for comparing and contrasting similarites and differences. These lessons build toward the skill of comparing and contrasting two versions of the same story. You will need to create a free account to view and print the teacher and student resources. Lesson one in this unit focuses on identifying similarities and differences using key words. Lesson two helps develop the skill of using key words to compare and contrast two objects. These lessons build toward the culminating lesson of comparing and contrasting two versions of Cinderella. Students will use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast. They will then write sentences to compare and contrast the stories of Cinderella and Cinder Edna using the information from the Venn diagram. The Common Core Standards 2.R.L.3 and 2.RL.7 are also associated with the third lesson.

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Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Learning Goal:

Lesson 1:

Identify similarities and differences using key words.

Lesson 2:

Use key words to compare and contrast two objects.

Lesson 3:

Use key words to compare and contrast two fairy tales.

Unit Variations

Extension suggestions:

Have students compare and contrast different cultural variations of fairy tales, such as Cinderella and Yeh-Shen by Ai-Ling Louie.
Have students compare and contrast the point of view or perspective in two versions of the same story, such as The Three Little Pigs and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.
Have students write a paragraph using “compare” and “contrast” key words on any of the following two subjects: Two favorite TV shows; Summer and winter; Fall and spring; Two teachers; Two favorite books; A book and the movie version of the book; Two siblings; Two family members; Fiction and nonfiction
Have students write new versions of a fairy tale they have read. Then, have them use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two versions of the fairy tale. You can also have students write two versions of an original fairy tale and then use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two versions.
Students can identify “compare” and “contrast” key words in independent reading. Have them keep a list of these words in their writing journal or folder.
Students may compare and contrast two items from the topic they are studying in Social Studies and/or Science.

Helpful Hints

Necessary Materials:

Lesson 1:

Provided: “My Brother and I” Passage, Example T-Chart, “Moving to a New Town” Independent Practice Passage, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: markers, chart paper

Lesson 2:

Provided: Example Chart, “Moving to a New Town” Independent Practice Passage
Not Provided: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, markers, chart paper, lined paper

Lesson 2:

Provided: Example Venn Diagram
Not Provided: Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson, markers, chart paper, lined paper

References

Contributors:

Julie Scudder

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation