Looking closer Chapter 2 Similarities and Differences Research

Looking closer. . . Chapter 2 Similarities and Differences

Research and Theory on Identifying Similarities and Differences l Explicitly teaching students to identify similarities and differences enhances their ability to understand use knowledge

Research and Theory on Identifying Similarities and Differences l Providing opportunities for students to independently identify similarities and differences enhances their ability to understand use knowledge

Research and Theory on Identifying Similarities and Differences l Representing similarities and differences in graphic or symbolic form enhances students’ understanding of and ability to use knowledge

Research and Theory on Identifying Similarities and Differences l Identification of similarities and differences can be accomplished in a variety of highly interactive ways l l Comparing Classifying Creating metaphors Creating analogies

Comparing – Classroom Practice Teacher-Directed Comparison Tasks l l Items Characteristics for comparison Student-Directed Comparison Tasks l l Items Characteristics for comparison Identifying the IMPORTANT characteristics is key when making comparisons

Graphic Organizers for Comparisons Comparison Matrix Characterist ics Items to be #1 1. compared #2 Similarities and Differences S D 2. S D 3. S D 4. S D 5. Venn Diagram S D

Classifying – Classroom Practice Teacher-Directed Classification Tasks l l Elements Categories Student-Directed Classification Tasks l l Elements Categories Critical to the task of classifying is an understanding of the rules that govern a class or category Membership.

Graphic Organizers for Classification Categories

Metaphors Teacher-Directed Metaphors l l First element Abstract relationship Student-Directed Metaphors l l First element Abstract relationship The key to using metaphors is the understanding that the two items are connected by an abstract or nonliteral relationship

Analogies l Teacher-Directed Analogies l Discuss and guide analysis of first relationship § l Discuss and guide analysis of how first relationship might apply to second set § l Subtract : Divide Teach whole analogy § l Add : Multiply Add : Subtract : Multiply : Divide Scaffold task The most complex format, requiring students to analyze relationships between relationships

Analogies l Student-Directed Analogies l Provide first relationship § l Students analyze and create second set § l Add : Multiply Subtract : Divide Scaffold task The most complex format, requiring students to analyze relationships between relationships

Graphic Organizers for Analogies is to (relationship) ________ as is to thermometer is to temperature (relationship) first measures incremental changes in second as odometer is to distance

Similarities and Differences l Teach directly l Have students practice independently l Teach and use graphic or symbolic representations l Use a variety of activities