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Lesson Plan

Compare and Contrast Texts on the Same Topic

Did you know that comparative tasks improve comprehension and help students develop higher order thinking skills? In this lesson, students will compare nonfiction texts on the same topic using Venn diagrams and performance!
Need extra help for EL students? Try the Main Idea and Details in Nonfiction pre-lesson.
Grade:
Fourth Grade
Subjects:
English Language Arts
Vocabulary
Dictionary Skills
View aligned standards
RI.4.9
Need extra help for EL students? Try the Main Idea and Details in Nonfiction pre-lesson.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to compare and contrast two nonfiction texts on the same topic.

Introduction

(5 minutes)
  • Tell students that today they are going to compare and contrast texts that are written about the same topic.
  • Ask students to volunteer definitions for the terms compare (note the similarity between) and contrast (note the difference between). Support students as needed to review these terms.
  • Explain that even if two texts are written about the same topic, they can have different information depending on the author's perspective or the source of the information. When we compare two texts on the same topic, we get more information than we would if we read just one.

Beginning

  • Provide an image and a definition for the following words in students' home language (L1) and English (L2): "topic," "author," "perspective," "information," and "source."

Intermediate

  • Allow students the chance to discuss with a partner in their home language (L1) or English any connections they have with the words "compare" and "contrast."