Rationale
Process
Compare & Contrast Diagram
More Resources
YouTube Videos

Venn Diagram - a sub-set of CC
  
On the Job examples

A Cooperative Learning Strategy

Rationale

Teacher

Compare and Contrast helps teachers achieve five distinct instructional goals:
• Strengthen Student Memories - by focusing student thinking on analysing pairs of ideas, the Compare & Contrast strategy strengthens students' ability to remember key content

• Develop Higher Order Thinking Skills - C & C acts as a practical and easy-to-use introduction to Higher Order Thinking [HOTS]

• Increase Student Comprehension - C & C improves comprehension by highlighting important details, making abstract ideas more concrete, and reducing confusion between related concepts (eg. meiosis versus mitosis)

• Enhance Students' Writing in the Content Areas - The C&C strategy strengthens students' writing skills by providing a simple structure that helps them organize information and develop their ideas with greater clarity and precision.

• Develop Students' Habits of Mind - In their years of research into the defining characteristics of intelligent behaviour and thought, Art Costa and Bena Kallick (2008, 2009) have identified 16 “habits of mind.” By nourishing these habits in our students, we give them the tools they need to use their minds well, thus increasing their chance for future success. Using Compare & Contrast in the classroom will help students develop these habits of mind: thinking flexibly; thinking about thinking (metacognition); striving for accuracy; applying past knowledge to new situations; and thinking and communicating with clarity and precision. (Source: Harvey F. Silver)

Process

This activity is used as an introductory activity for the whole class or for groups.

Compare and Contrast Charts do just about what you'd expect them to with a name like that: they're useful for looking at two quantities and determining in what ways they are similar and in what ways they are different.

The chart is pictured here is one way to approach this comparison. First, you look at the similarities. Then you consider the differences, making sure to indicate on what criteria you are drawing out the dissimilarities.

1. Establish the question or problem. This could entail the use of stimulus material.

2. State the criteria for evaluating the ideas – feasible, appropriate and specific.

Similarities & Differences

Use the following diagram to work this out.

Compare & Contrast Diagram

More resources

Literacy Ideas - Teaching students to compare & contrast when reading

Thoughtful Classroom - Tips to Avoid - PDF

NSW Education Dept. Stage 5 reading - C & C

YouTube Videos

YouTube: Compare and Contrast | Reading Strategies | EasyTeaching
https://youtu.be/QVyOeD2xg94?si=nH3h1TYMqCCCswU7

YouTube: How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
https://youtu.be/3jJJl4xcY44

YouTube: Past and Present | Technology Then and Now
https://youtu.be/DENG7Q7VRgo

When you have two or more objects to compare and contrast, you can use the Venn Diagram.

For Apple, Pear & Orange you could use...

(Source: Vecteezy)

An more complicated example of a Venn Diagram

(Source: Classtools)

Introduction

Venn diagrams are also known as set diagrams or logic diagrams. A Venn diagram is a widely used diagram style that shows the logical relation between sets, popularized by John Venn in the 1880s.

They use overlapping shapes, usually circles, to show the relationships between two or more items, such as highlighting how the items are similar and how they are different. While many people first encounter them in school, Venn diagrams are common in mathematics, linguistics, computer science, and business.

Why you should use a Venn diagram

1. Visually organize your information

Students and professionals alike benefit from using Venn diagrams. Use them to see the relationships between sets of items and think through the logic behind concepts.
Compare two or more choices

If you’re trying to choose your best option, such as what product or service to buy, use a Venn diagram to compare your choices. You’ll see what they have in common and what sets them apart.

2. Solve complex math problems

If you’re a mathematician, use a Venn diagram to solve an intricate math problem.
Compare data sets

Venn diagrams help you understand your data. Compare data sets, find correlations, and predict the probability of certain occurrences.

3. Follow the logic

Use a Venn diagram to reason through the logic behind statements or equations. For example, the diagram could help you understand the Boolean logic behind a word search involving “or” and “and” statements.

Resources

YouTube Videos

Venn Diagrams
https://youtu.be/32iNIZJ2dI4?si=ZeTaoB_5zyfNsqWR

Creating a Venn Diagram

Canva

Lucidchart

On the Job examples where Compare & Contrast are used:

Arachnologist	Spider Murder Methods: What the Duck! Secondary Lesson Strategy: Compare & Contrast
Architect	Responding to the Vernacular? Secondary Lesson Strategy: Compare & Contrast
Bed & Breakfast Operator	Compare & Contrast: Two Bed & Breakfast Accommodations Primary Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Compare & Contrast
Journalist	"The" Science Journalists or Communicators - Prof. Brian Cox, David Attenborough and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki - a comparison! Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Compare & Contrast
Wool Buyer	Compare & Contrast: Champion Wool Broker Articles Primary Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Compare & Contrast

Material sourced from
A-Z Strategies - PDF [p25, p134,]