RE08 1.a
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Reading Standard 1.a - Level 8
Compare and contrast a variety of texts with similar themes and ideas (specifically, American historical novels, short stories, speeches and articles; science fiction, diaries, and plays, among others).
Standard in Kid Friendly Language
Tell and illustrate the similarities and differences between various forms of literature that contains similar themes and ideas (especially, American historical novels, short stories, speeches and articles; science fiction, diaries, and plays, among others).
Standard Unwrapped
KNOW
Locate and identify fiction and nonfiction literary pieces that have similar themes and ideas. In eighth grade, these themes involve Holocaust/World War II issues, prejudice and civil rights issues, science fiction vs. reality, and various other topics and subtopics.
Choose an appropriate format for comparison and contrast (a Venn diagram, an essay, a chart, etc).
Distinguish the proper elements to be use for comparison and contrast within a given context (essay and specific graphic organizer).
ABLE TO DO
Brainstorm, evaluate and determine the best elements for comparison and contrast.
Develop a comparison and contrast framework/format with determined elements.
Be able to defend the elements used for comparison and contrast by providing examples.
Use critical thinking to compare and contrast items beyond the obvious elements. (For example, if comparing characters in two texts, compare/contrast personality traits and character development, not just list that both characters are short or the same sex).
Instructional Strategies
Apply comparison and contrast to concrete elements in everyday life (as practice, if attempting to compare/contrast literature and ideas is too abstract.
Experiment with several formats that could be used for the same comparison and contrast, selecting the best one for the purpose.
Demonstrate with overheads and charts how to develop the desired graphic format.
Share an essay or graphic organizer of comparison and contrast and discuss the development, organization, and style.
Share a partially completed Venn diagram or other graphic organizer and generate discussion and ideas to complete it.
Demonstrate how to use examples to represent the ideas selected for comparison and contrast.
Assessment Strategies
Select, construct or design a comparison/contrast for two major works read in class, or one read in class and one read outside of class, focusing on ideas and themes.
List and analyze the elements of comparison which are parallel in theme and idea in the works used.
List and analyze the elements of contrast which demonstrate the differences between themes and ideas.
Produce examples that demonstrate both the items used for comparison and contrast.
Resources
Projects and Activities
Classify on a chart or list (with members of class) literature by themes and/or ideas (a form of comparison itself) to establish groundwork for student comparison/contrast products.
At the conclusion of a long unit, select two pieces of writing that have been read and brainstorm the possibilities for comparison/contrast.
Develop a comparison/contrast matrix to compare and contrast elements as a more formal method, such as when comparing/contasting nonfiction articles.
At the conclusion of reading a major work of literature, choose a character with similar yet different ideas from your own to compare/contrast with yourself and develop a comparison/contrast framework or essay.
For challenge, expand a simple Venn diagram for two items into three or more to be compared/contrasted.
Expand items used for comparison/contrast with examples, using a brainstorm web.
Present of co-present (if working in a group) comparison/contrast products to class.
