An Online Guide to Compare & Contrast Lessons

When a student compares two things, he or she is looking for the similarities between them. Alternatively, when a student is contrasting two things he or she is searching for the differences. Learning the skills of comparing and contrasting will guide a student in recognizing specific characteristics of objects. These skills are especially useful when looking at two objects that belong in the same category. For instance, an educator teaching students how to compare and contrast may hold up a banana and a lemon. In comparing them her students would likely state that they are both pieces of fruit. However, the teacher may point out that although they are both pieces of fruit there are several differences to make note of. For instance, the lemon has a sour taste, whereas the banana is sweet. With this type of example, students will learn that two objects can belong to the same category yet still be quite different.  

• A Compare and Contrast Exercise Inspired by a Famous Book: Find instructions for completing a compare/contrast exercise that relates to barns and is inspired by a famous children’s book.
• Techniques for Comparing and Contrasting: Learn about different diagrams that will help students with their comparing and contrasting skills.
• Compare & Contrasting Lesson Plans: A collection of compare/contrast lesson plans and activities.
• A Compare/Contrast Lesson with a Penguin Theme: With this lesson, students learn about the differences and similarities between penguins and other birds.
• Comparing and Contrasting Musical Instruments: Learn about the different families of musical instruments via this compare/contrast activity.
• Animal Web Quest Involving Compare/Contrast Skills: Complete a fun web quest in which a student uses a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two zoo animals.
• A Book and Movie Compare/Contrast Activity: Older students can use these questions to compare and contrast a well-known book made into a movie.
• A Compare and Contrast Lesson Along with a Challenge: Find a review of how to compare and contrast two subjects and then try an assignment for further practice.
• A Fun Compare and Contrast Activity: Discover a web activity that allows students to compare and contrast different types of rainforests with the help of a Venn diagram.
• A Compare/Contrast Exercise for 12th Graders: In this web quest, one team of 12th graders has the opportunity to compare and contrast the subject of Macbeth.
• A Web Quest of Comparisons: A student will compare his or her life with the life of a Native American.
• Comparing and Contrasting Practice: Students read a sample and then practice their comparing and contrasting skills.
• Bridges: A Compare/Contrast Activity: Discover facts about a variety of bridges with an activity that involves compare and contrast.
• Compare and Contrast Famous Presidents: Checkout a web quest for students in which some qualities of famous presidents are compared and contrasted.
• A Lesson in Framing Comparisons and Contrasts: View study words commonly used in making comparisons and contrasts.
• A Compare/Contrast Exercise with a Holiday Theme: Discover how Halloween is celebrated in other countries with this compare/contrast activity.
• Illustrations for Comparing and Contrasting: Find a selection of diagrams that are helpful when comparing and contrasting two items.
• A Look at the Skills of Comparing and Contrasting: Read this practical information on how to compare and contrast things.
• A Zoo Animal Activity with Comparing/Contrasting: Complete an educational web quest that involves learning about zoo animals as well as plants. 
• Contrasting and Comparing Lesson Plans – These lesson plans are sorted by skill level.