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Thank you for chosing to particpate in our blog, "It's all about the I". This forum provides an opportunity for collaboration around the topic of high quality instruction.


Each month please read the chapter that correlates with the monthly topic, respond to the "Read and Reflect" and the "Discuss" section and post your responses on the blog. Also, please use ideas from the "Do" section to apply the monthly topic in your classroom and post your experience. I encourage you to comment on other blog member's posts. The more interactive we make our blog the more we will gain from the experience!


All posts should be complete by the last day of the month. Then we will be on to another topic!!


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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:_________________________



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1 comment:

  1. Ann L-EFebruary 29, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Great post Ashley. You make a good point that students really do need to learn how to read and understand analogies. They will have to face them on MCAS, PSAT and SAT exams. Also, all Special Education students have analogies as part of their three-year re-evaluation testing. It is not going to go away. They need to be taught how to read and process them in order to be successful.

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