Compare and Contrast Task

Comparing and contrasting is a powerful thinking strategy. It is identifying how things (or ideas) are the same (or similar) and different.

Think carefully about two ideas, processes or ‘things’ you have been learning about that can be compared. For example:

1. decimals and fractions
2. setting and exposition
3. solids and liquids
4. World War I and World War II

Use the Classtools website http://www.classtools.net/education-games-php/venn_intro to create a venn diagram. In each of the outer circles of the diagram, list ways in which these ideas are different, and in the middle, ways they are the same. Use your internet search strategies to discover similarities and differences in these two ideas. For example:

Image: Comparing Whales and Fish*

Make sure you search until you find at least two new similarities or differences you did not already know. Shade the new information in a different colour.

Use the venn diagram and the information you have gathered from your searches to write a brief exposition using the following website tool: an exposition is a written description of the reasons for your compare and contrast. http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/compare-contrast-30066.html

Share your exposition with someone and ask them to explain this learning to you – do they understand from your venn learning object, and exposition what the differences and similarities are for your chosen topic?

Post your diagram and exposition to your student blog site or class community and give yourself a rating out of 5 stars (based on how well the person could explain the similarities and differences from your diagram and exposition).

*Comparing Whales and Fish. David Walbert. Higher Order Thinking with Venn Diagrams. Learn NC: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/2646 (Reproduced under Creative Commons Copyright: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ )