Similarities and Differences Reading Research

Research shows:
Presenting students with explicit guidance in identifying similarities and differences enhances students' understanding of and ability to use knowledge.  This is accompanied with great deal of discussion and inquiry on the part of students.

Representing similarities and differences in graphic form enhances students' understanding and ability to use knowledge.  The students often use Venn diagrams to compare information.

This is a research-based strategy for increasing student achievement.

This week the students finished the Mexico Unit.  The students used a Venn diagram to compare the traditional Mexican Christmas holiday to their Christmas celebrations.  They also used a chart to help them organize the information comparing the Mexican government to the United States.  Both governments are a Federal Republic.  Both also have the three branches, executive, legislative and judicial.  The vocabulary words for study were executive, legislative and judicial.