Writing Lesson~ Compare and Contrast

On Thursdays I teach a small writing class for an hour in the mornings, and then come home and teach the same thing to Christopher in the afternoon. I thought for some of the homeschoolers who read my blog,it might be a bit helpful to share these assignments. I know how wonderful the internet has been to us over the years in gleaning new ideas for our school.

... Compare and Contrast
..First we started with an intro to Venn Diagrams.  I found ours to print out at Enchanted Learning  but I am sure there are blanks all over the web, or make your own.

Our first activity was to simply compare two objects and collectively fill in the Venn together. I chose a shell from the Atlantic Ocean and one from the Pacific.  After I was sure they had a good grasp on what was expected, I pulled out a bag where I had written 20 different orchestra instruments on slips of paper. Each student would choose two ( without looking) and the assignment for next week is to compare and contrast the two instruments. None of the children got instruments from the same family ( ex; guitar/oboe). 
..I then gave them the block format for their papers.
Intro~ clincher, lead in to what they will be comparing/ contrasting
Paragraph 1:  definitions of items
Paragraph 2: what is the same
Paragraph 3: what is different
Paragraph 4: Conclusion

..this can be adapted to any age just expecting a bit more from the olders and more help with the youngers.

...The assignment can be adapted to any interest.  Instead of instruments you can use animals, foods, sports.  Adapt to fit the situation......and have fun..... all day long!

Comments

[Beth]

Thanks, Lea. That was helpful! Also, I LOVE Enchanted Learning, and use it often.
<><
B

[Jimmy_C]

I like to new back ground.