Guiding Question: How can students use graphic organizers to show similarities and differences?

Select a strategy (comparing, classifying, metaphors, analogies) that best fits the learning experience.

Use comparing when you want students to identify how items are similar and different.

Use classifying when you want students to place items in categories and understand why things belong in those categories.

Use metaphors when you want students to focus on how items are similar on an abstract level.

Use analogies when you want students to understand abstract ideas and make connections between new knowledge and prior knowledge by using what they know about the relationship.

Provide students with graphic organizers that best represent the relevant process for identifying similarities and differences.

For comparing, use Venn diagrams or comparison matrices.

For classifying, use a chart or circle diagram.

For metaphors, use a chart or metaphor pattern diagram.

For analogies, use a pictorial form of the A:B::C:D format.

Provide opportunities for students to develop their own graphic organizers to use for each of the approaches to identifying similarities and differences.

Ensure that students understand the process of comparing before asking them to classify.

Model each of these processes for identifying similarities and differences multiple times. Include corrective feedback as students practice the techniques and use the associated graphic organizers. Set the stage for students to provide their own feedback.

Explicitly name a process as students use it in class. If a student uses a metaphor as part of an explanation, state to the class that they have used a metaphor. The more opportunities students have to view or experience the four processes throughout the day. In multiple academic settings, the more likely it is they will develop a deep understanding of the content and use the process frequently.

Ask students to explain their thinking as they compare, classify, create metaphors, and create analogies.