Similaraties and Differences

I found this chapter to be really useful. I would like to use the comparing 2 concepts with similarities and differences in helping students reinforce what they have learned as well as a study tool to help students prepare for their tests and quizzes. I found a couple of free analogy organizers on-line but had a hard time getting the PDF files to post. I found one analogy organizer on a website called teacher vision. The address is www.teachervision. fen.com and search for analogy organizers. Another interesting one that I found was comparing two concepts. It had the "New Concept" on the left side and the "Familiar Concept" on the right-hand side. Underneath that it had "Similarities" on the left side and "Differences" on the right. Underneath all of that in the center was "Summary of new concept". I would use this one to reinforce new concepts. Using analogies uses higher-order thinking skills and students seem to like it once it is explained to them. They like looking for the connection between the two items. It is another important tool in getting students to learn in a way they may not have used before. It stimulates new brain connections and strengthens those higher-order thinking skills.

Identifying Similarities and Differences

I really enjoyed this chapter! I was particularly intrigued with using analogies with students as a form of identifying similarities and differences. I have always known analogies to be comparing two related objects or ideas to something else but never though to use them in the classroom as a student/teacher-directed activity. Learning to read and understand analogies is such an important skill for students, as they are typically found on all standardized tests.

I co-teach a biology class and we have used analogies in comparing cell organelles to people or places. The responses we got from the students was impressive. One in particular still stands out to me. A group used ten organelles from the cell and compared them to the Boston Bruins hockey team! It was amazing!! Now, reflecting on this activity, the student really seemed to understand and enjoy it!


I found the graphic organizers in the chapter to be a great resource. I especially liked the following GO.

[ ] is to [ ]

relationship:___________________________

as [ ] is to [ ]

I also liked the GO for analyzing metaphors:

Metaphor: _________________________________

Literal:________________________
Abstract:_______________________
Literal:_________________________

February Topic - Identifying Similarities and Differences

Surprisingly, it is already February, so it's time to move onto our new topic, Identifying Similarities and Differences. For this month, perhaps everyone could share their general thoughts on the chapter, examples of graphic organizers that facilitate comparing and contrasting, or even student examples. Also, maybe teachers of the sciences or mathematics could share how they are able to incorporate similarities and differences in their disciplines where it might be difficult to do so.  

I found this chapter in the book to be especially interesting and useful. Similarities and differences are so frequently found in a subject such as History, that it is very beneficial to see the ways in which similarities and differences can be adapted, whether it is simply comparing and contrasting, or even have the students begin to create analogies. Of course the Venn Diagram is so commonly used and is effective, but I've also found that categorizing topics based on similarities is extremely effective in getting the students to understanding similarities and differences, especially when it comes to History. When asking students to categorize, it seems to work best when you provide the students with the categories and then allow them to select the topics that are appropriate. That way, they are forced to understand the topics' similarities before they are able to categorize them. Our next topic of study in U.S.I History involves many similarities and differences, so during that topic I plan to incorporate metaphors and analogies instead of relying on Venn Diagrams for comparing and contrasting. I'll make sure to post my findings and share how effective the activity was.