K-5 Reading Literature
RL.5.9
Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to
similar themes and topics.
Strategy/Lesson Suggestions
Assessment FOR Learning Suggestions
Double Bubble. In this strategy, teachers model using a Double Bubble graphic
organizer to make comparisons between stories in the same genre. Students
should identify two items they are going to compare and then record the
information in appropriate bubbles.
Different
Similar
Item 1
Different
Students read a variety of stories or novels in a given genre. Then students
prepare and participate in a talk show, with the teacher as the host. The
students are asked questions as characters (or as the author) from those
novels to elicit higher level thinking responses. Students are evaluated on
their ability to compare and contrast stories in the same genre with similar
themes and topics. Grouping: Whole group, small group
Item 2
Variation. The teacher divides the class into groups, pairing two small groups
for a panel discussion. Example: Adventure Novels -- One group of 3-4
members could portray Brian from Hatchet (Paulsen) and another group could
be Cole from Touching Spirit Bear (Mikaelssen).Then any of the participants
could respond to the teacher’s questions, either collaboratively or individually.
For more graphic organizers like this, click here.
Sentence Stem Comparisons. (Adapted from McLaughlin, 2010)
In this strategy, teachers should model using sentence stem comparisons such
as the following:
Text A and Text B are similar because they both:
_.
I Want to be a Producer. After reading multiple books or stories in the same
genre, the student selects one that they believe would make the best movie.
They compare and contrast the stories they considered, reflecting on the
individual themes and topics, and defend why they chose the book they did
to make a film. Students are evaluated on their ability to compare and
contrast stories in the same genre with similar themes and topics. Grouping:
Small group, pair individual
For an interactive guide, click here.
Text A and Text B are different because:
_.
For more examples, click here.
References:
McLaughlin, M. (2010). Guided comprehension in the primary grades. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
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