Make Comparisons

Explain Remind students that when readers compare and contrast characters, settings, or events they look for how the characters, settings, or events are alike and different. Write this paragraph on the board: Mr. and Mrs. Badger want to take their three children on vacation. Mr. Badger wants to go to the mountains because the family can camp out and hike across the hills. Mrs. Badger wants to go to the beach so they can all go swimming and also relax on the sand. Read the sentences. Have students tell how Mr. and Mrs. Badger are alike and how they are different.

Guided Practice Say: Both characters are alike because they want to take their children on vacation. They are different because Mr. Badger wants to go to the mountains and Mrs. Badger wants to go to the beach. What is another difference? (Mr. Badger wants to camp and hike, and Mrs. Badger wants to swim and relax on the sand.)

Practice Read this paragraph aloud. Ask students to compare and contrast the characters. Andrew and John are brothers. Andrew likes to play sports and does not like to sit still for very long. John likes to read and to work on the computer. He sits quietly for long periods of time. Both boys really like to cook and are very good at it.

Help students tell how the boys are alike and how they are different. (alike: brothers, like to cook; different: Andrew plays sports, does not like to sit still; John likes to read and work on the computer, likes to sit still)