• Comparison and Contrast

Frequent Use Strategy

  • Comparison and Contrast engages students in delineating, differentiating, and distinguishing information. The four connected strategies for Comparison and Contrast are comparing, classifying, creating analogies, and creating metaphors.

    When using Comparison and Contrast, the teacher will model how to analyze, qualify, and organize subtle and significant similarities or differences.

    Students will identify similarities and/or differences between two or more items in order to understand how they are alike, equal, or analogous to each other.

    Comparison and Contrast is not effective for comparing unlike, irrelevant, and dissimilar ideas or concepts. It is not about the artifacts alone, such as a Venn diagram or T chart. This strategy is especially effective when the learning requires analysis to examine subtle similarities and differences between relevant ideas or concepts and results in a deeper understanding of the people, places, things, or ideas being studied.

Look Fors

  • The Teacher will…
    • model comparative thinking with students demonstrating how to make clear connections by identifying similarities and differences that lead to deeper understanding of the AKS.
    • engage students in activities that require comparison, classification, creating analogies, and/or creating metaphors.
    The Students will…
    • compare and classify information.
    • identify similarities and differences.
    • create analogies and metaphors to develop comparative thinking.

Model Lessons

  • For any questions with this guide or its content, please call Instructional Support at (678) 301-6804.