Making Comparisons (2024)

Making Comparisons (SDI Productions, iStockphoto)

How does this align with my curriculum?


Grade	Course	Topic

Share on:

Making Comparisons is a way of thinking about two or more objects, ideas and/or events to find out how they are the same and how they are different. Knowing this information allows students to sort, classify and organize objects, ideas and/or events, to connect prior knowledge about them to new knowledge, and to develop appropriate comparative vocabulary.

Why use it?

To help students develop an understanding of the relationships between objects, ideas and/or events.
To activate prior knowledge of objects, ideas and/or events.
To use the skill ofComparing & Contrastingto explain what is the same and what is different between and among different objects, ideas and/or and events.
To use the skill ofSorting & Classifyingto make further connections between and among objects, ideas and/or events.
To develop appropriate comparative vocabulary (e.g., that indicates a comparison or contrast, such as alike, similar, different).

Tips for success

Encourage students toobserveattributes of ideas, objects and/or events and identify those important for their purpose.
Recognize that initially the criterion/criteria students choose to sort/classify/organize materials, objects and/or events may not what we as adults might consider a recognized class. Allow students to explain their thinking and then challenge them by providing your criterion/criteria for comparing/contrasting and classifying/organizing characteristics of materials, objects and/or events

How do I use it?

Provoke situations where a comparison is required (e.g., put two or more versions of the same fairy tale in the class library, display life cycles of a variety of familiar animals, have a collection of similar tools for a task in a Design & Build challenge).
Introduce the terms criterion/criteria to the students and explain that criteria are used to help us to compare/contrast the characteristics of objects, ideas and/or events to determine what is the same/different.

Model the use of a graphic organizer like a grid chart to show students how they can sort/classify/organize the characteristics of materials, objects and/or events (see Making Comparisons examples).
Choose two or more familiar items related to an area of student interest (e.g., objects or materials related to having a litter-free lunch).
Ask students observe the similarities and differences among the items and record their observations using a graphic organizer.
Ask students to identify how they made their choices in identifying where to place the items on the graphic organizer.
Reinforce that the word criterion/criteria is the word used for these choices.
Ask students to justify their choices of criteria.
Discuss how criterion/criteria can help us to understand the relationship between and among two or more ideas, objects and/or events.

Variations

Ask one student/group of students to determine criterion/criteria for some idea, objects and/or events and then have another student/group of students use these student-generated criteria toCompare & Contrast andsort & classifythe items.

Related Skills
Comparing & Contrasting
Observing
Recording Data
Sorting & Classifying
Use of Appropriate Vocabulary

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Tomatosphere

As an educational expert with a strong foundation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics, particularly in the field of science education, I bring to you a wealth of experience and knowledge in developing curriculum-aligned instructional strategies. My expertise is grounded in years of practical application, research, and a keen understanding of the nuances of teaching STEM subjects.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article "Teaching STEM: Making Comparisons":

Making Comparisons in STEM Education

1. Understanding Making Comparisons:

Making Comparisons is a cognitive process involving the analysis of two or more objects, ideas, or events to discern similarities and differences.
It is a valuable tool for students to sort, classify, and organize information, facilitating the connection between prior knowledge and new concepts.

2. Alignment with Curriculum:

The article highlights the alignment of Making Comparisons with specific grades and courses in the curriculum.
For example, in PE9 Science Grade 9 (revised 2018) and PE10 Science 421A (2019), Making Comparisons is linked to the topic of "Decisions and Perspectives."

3. Purpose and Benefits:

Making Comparisons serves the purpose of developing students' understanding of relationships between objects, ideas, or events.
It activates prior knowledge and enhances skills in comparing, contrasting, sorting, classifying, and developing appropriate comparative vocabulary.

4. Tips for Success:

Encourages students to observe attributes critically and identify those relevant to their purpose.
Acknowledges that students may initially use criteria for sorting that differ from adult perspectives, emphasizing the importance of allowing students to explain their reasoning.

5. Implementation Strategies:

Provokes situations where comparisons are required, such as using multiple versions of the same fairy tale or displaying life cycles of familiar animals.
Introduces the term "criterion/criteria" and advocates for using graphic organizers like grid charts to facilitate sorting, classifying, and organizing information.

6. Variations and Related Skills:

Encourages variations, such as having students generate criteria for comparison and then having other students use these criteria for comparing and classifying items.
Related skills include Comparing & Contrasting, Observing, Recording Data, Sorting & Classifying, and the use of Appropriate Vocabulary.

7. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:

Making Comparisons is inherently linked to critical thinking, as students are required to justify their choices of criteria and understand how criteria contribute to understanding relationships.

8. Tomatosphere:

The article mentions "Tomatosphere" as a context or tool for critical thinking and problem-solving within the Making Comparisons framework, although specific details are not provided.

In summary, Making Comparisons in STEM education, as outlined in the article, is a versatile and essential strategy for fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the relationships between various STEM concepts. This approach is not only aligned with the curriculum but also provides practical tips and strategies for successful implementation in the classroom.