Compare and Contrast Background Information for Teachers, Parents, and Caregivers

This page contains information to support educators and families in teaching K-3 students about the reading comprehension skill compare and contrast. Designed to complement the BrainPOP Jr. movie Compare and Contrast, you will find ideas for how teachers and parents can develop related understandings, and ways to use other BrainPOP Jr. resources to scaffold and extend student learning.

This movie discusses how to compare and contrast, providing a range of examples, and includes a discussion of signal words and phrases that help readers identify comparisons and contrasts in text.

Pose a question that asks students to compare, such as “How are cats and dogs alike?” Review with children that when we compare, we show how two or more things are alike. Ask your students to brainstorm what cats and dogs have in common and make comparisons. Use one of their examples in a sentence, such as, “A cat and a dog are both pets.” Say the sentence aloud and write it down. Underline the word “both” and explain that thisctiv word signals how things are alike; it signals a comparison. Come up with a list of key words or phrases that signal a comparison, such as: “like,” “alike,” “same,” “also,” “too,” “both,” “similar,” “in common,” and “the same as.”

Now pose a question that asks students to contrast, such as “How are cats and dogs different?” Review with children that when we contrast, we show how two or more things are different. Ask your students to brainstorm how cats and dogs differ. Use one of their examples in a sentence, such as, “A cat meows to communicate. However, a dog barks to communicate.” Underline the word “however” and explain that this word signals a contrast. Come up with a list of words and phrases that signal contrasts, such as: “different,” “differ,” “difference,” “unlike,” “although,” “even though,” “instead,” “however,” and “on the other hand.”

As children learn about comparing and contrasting and other reading comprehension skills, discuss what it means to be an active reader: taking notes, asking questions, making predictions, identifying causes and effects ,and comparing and contrasting as they read. A Venn diagram is an effective way for children to actively make comparisons and contrasts while reading. You can model by reading a sample text together and taking notes in the graphic organizer.

Encourage children to ask themselves questions during and after reading. How are two characters alike? How do they differ? How do the settings compare and contrast? Remind them to read actively and engage with the text

For enrichment or extension, we recommend exploring other BrainPOP Jr. movies that address reading and comprehension skills including Cause and Effect, Sequence, Make Inferences, Reading Nonfiction, and Listening and Speaking