1. Identifying Similarities and Differences
March 29, 2007
Jennifer Alexander
Jennifer Reed

2. Processes of Identifying Similarities & Differences
Comparing and Contrasting
Classifying
Creating Metaphors
Creating Analogies

3. Comparing and Contrasting
“Comparing and contrasting are related processes of articulations similarities and differences, respectively, between or among things or ideas.”

4. Structured and Open-Ended tasks
Structured tasks:
1. Identify objects that are to be compared.
2. Explain how to compare the objects.
3. List characteristics to be compared.
Open-Ended tasks:
3. Have students list the characteristics to be compared.

5. Compare/Contrast Graphic Organizers
Venn Diagram
Matrix
Items to be compared
# # #3
Characteristics
Similarities
Differences

6. Classifying
“The process of grouping things into definable categories based on like characteristics. How things are classified influences our perceptions or behaviors.”

7. Structured and Open-Ended tasks
Structured tasks:
1. List items to classify.
2. Give categories to sort the items.
Open-Ended tasks:
2. Have students create categories to sort the items.

8. Classifying Graphic Organizers
Webbing
Chart
Category Category Category Category

9. Creating Metaphors
“A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that literally denotes one object or idea is used with or in place of another object or idea to suggest likeness between them.”

10. Structured and Open-Ended tasks
Structured tasks:
1. Provide part of the metaphor.
2. Provide part of the abstract relationship.
3. Have students build on foundation.
Open-Ended tasks:
1. Provide only one part of the metaphor.
2. Have students identify the second part.
3. Have students describe abstract relationship.

11. Graphic Organizer for Metaphors
Element/Item Element/Item
Literal Pattern Literal Pattern
Abstract Relationship

12. Creating Analogies
“Creating analogies is the process of identifying relationships between pairs of concepts – in other words, identifying relationships between relationships.”

13. Structured and Open-Ended tasks
Structured tasks:
1. Provide an analogy.
2. Discuss the relationship between the parts of the analogy provided.
Open-Ended tasks:
1. Provide an incomplete analogy.
2. Have students complete the analogy.
3. Have the students create other analogies that may also complete the analogy provided.

14. Graphic Organizer for Analogies
Structured
is to as
Open-Ended
is to
Relationship: