Free Printable Compare and Contrast Reading Passages on the Same Topic

Blog post about comparing and contrasting nonfiction texts. -RI.K.9, RI.1.9, RI.2.9, RI.3.9, RI.4.9

Today, we are going to look at comparison and contrasting in nonfiction text! This practice is of import for students in their process of learning integration. Starting in Kindergarten, students should be identifying basic similarities and differences with elementary compare and contrast activities. So, building on the skill each twelvemonth, they volition begin to integrate information from a diverseness of texts in 4th course! This will assistance students acquit research, translate information, and go well-rounded readers.

Standards for Compare and Contrast Nonfiction Texts:

Kindergarten: With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences betwixt two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).
1st Grade: Identify basic similarities in and differences between 2 texts on the aforementioned topic (e.k., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).
second Grade: Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.
3rd Grade: Compare and contrast the most important points and central details presented in two texts on the aforementioned topic.
4th Grade: Integrate information from two texts on the aforementioned topic in club to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

Introduce How To Compare and Contrast

Activity for students to practice comparing topics.

Your introduction can start with a unproblematic compare and dissimilarity activity. Students can compare and contrast ii commonly-known things. Without the text to interrupt the skill process, students will exist able to identify similarities and differences and build on their experience!

Compare and contrast with venn diagrams anchor chart.

We all know that Venn Diagrams are a quick and easy way to organize similarities and differences. Later on some modeling and whole group work with Venn Diagrams, students will learn to divide information into three categories. And so, they can exist added to any compare and contrast action!

Model with Read Alouds

Primary informational mentor text suggested book list for comparing and contrasting two nonfiction texts on the same topic- RI.1.9, RI.2.9, RI.3.9

Hither are a few texts that I would suggest for read alouds. These tin can be read aloud once a day at the first of your mini lesson time. Or these can be provided for students during ane of the work stations so they tin explore 2 texts on the same topic. The eightlinks below are affiliate links to Amazon.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni and If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft and All About Animals in Winter by Martha Rustad
I am Helen Keller by Brad Melzer and Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark by Joanna Hurwitz
Looking Closely Inside the Rainforest by Frank Serafini and Step Into the Rainforest by Howard Rice

Start By Simply Finding Most Important Betoken in Texts

Hands on practice for comparing and contrasting topics.

When adding texts to the mix, it is best to starting time with just finding important information. This is activeness that helps students place important data and then sort it. Students will read two unlike nonfiction texts on the same topic. While reading, they will record important points or data on post-its, placing them under that text name in the diagram. And then, equally a grade, discuss the important points for each text and motion any information that is in both to the middle of the Venn Diagram. To read more than about these two anchor chart and white board activities, click here to read my older web log post.

Using sentence strips to compare and contrast topics.

Here is another action to get students ready! Students will piece of work with a partner to identify the most of import signal of a brusque paragraph or text. Simply weeding through the data to notice that of import betoken volition help them later, when comparing and contrasting different points!

Comparing and contrasting with task cards and color coding.

Building on the previous activity, students can read ii nonfiction passages on like topics. Using colour-coding prompts, students will be able to identify important points from each text. Each of these simple comparison activities are going to exist essential in the progression of understanding. Students have now had some experience with identifying of import points and comparing information, just finding the similarities.

So, Look For Differences

Compare and contrast with two texts and task cards.

With this new knowledge and experience, students will be gear up for the next step: contrast. It is fourth dimension to start looking for differences in data and texts. In this activity, each nonfiction passage is nearly a habitat. The task cards will have students identify which text each piece of information came from. And, this helps them larn the differences about each habitat!

Do Makes Perfect

With all new skills, I like to build a bucket of books that fit the standard. Y'all tin stock up at the library, grab some amazon or one-half-toll books. Then, take graphic organizers available for students to utilise during independent or partner reading time. The graphic organizers will agree students accountable and assist them build their skill! With compare and contrast, a graphic organizer is the perfect activity to help students organize information and communicate their understanding!

Practice, practise practice! Reading passages that ask content-specific questions are going to be a great addition to your classroom! These practice passages tin be used during small group, contained or partner practise. They are great way to measure a students' skill mastery and understanding.

Lastly, call up that with new literacy skills, nosotros desire to expose students to piddling pieces at a time. It is okay to introduce this skill slowly and scaffold their learning throughout the process. If we move too fast, students may simply partially develop skills and won't accomplish total mastery.