Michigan Department of Education
Family Fundamentals for Summer Learning
Just because it's summertime, doesn't mean that learning has to stop. Support children with continuing to develop their reading fluency with this extensive collection of literacy activities.
Literacy Design Collaborative
To Be or Not to Be: The Evolution of Hamlet’s Personality
How does Hamlet's state of mind change over the course of Shakespeare's most famous revenge tragedy? After a close reading of Hamlet's soliloquies in Act III, scene 1 and Act IV, scene iv, class members engage in a Paideia/Socratic...
K5 Learning
Ned and Rover and Jack
This isn't your ordinary short story with questions; it's actually two tales in one. First, find out what happens with Ned and Rover, then switch characters to discover the what happens between Jack and Rover.
Washington Township Public Schools
Using Paired Text
Paired reading passages frequently appear on standardized exams, but finding text sets to use in the classroom is sometimes a challenge. A lesson plan on using paired texts includes a selection of passages and a graphic organizer for...
Curated OER
The Hopi Indians
Fourth graders make a mask of who they are as an individual after studying the Hopi Indians. In this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders compare and contrast the Hopi life with theirs, make predictions, and learn about culture.
Curated OER
Gingerbread Baby v. Gingerbread Boy #7
Students compare and contrast the gingerbread baby in their story to the original gingerbread boy. They use a Venn diagram to easily see the similarities and differences.
Curated OER
Venn Diagram
In this compare and contrast instructional activity, students choose 2 things to compare and write their answers on a blank Venn diagram. This blank diagram could have many uses across the curriculum.
Curated OER
The Matrix
Second graders compare and contrast groups of Native Americans and culture groups from different regions and times.
Curated OER
Make Way for Ducklings
First graders use skills to collect, organize, and interpret data. They compare and contrast two stories, Make Way for Ducklings and Chibi: A True Story From Japan. Students create a duckling.
Curated OER
A Day In The Life: The Story of a Child Worker in Agriculture."
Students watch a Flash presentation on students working in agriculture in this lesson which is part of a unit. They compare and contrast the experience to their own. Unit links are on this lesson page.
Curated OER
History According to Shakespeare
Students read Shakespeare's, Julius Caesar while identifying a number of literary elements including simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. As a response activity, they simulate a mock trial, and finally, compare and contrast...
Curated OER
It's in the Elements - Lesson Four
Students compare and contrast story elements in two versions of Cinderella. In this literature elements lesson plan, students are read two different versions of Cinderella, they identify the characters, plot, and setting, then they...
Curated OER
Christmas in Other Countries: A Venn Diagramming Activity
Learners diagram similarities and differences in Christmas celebrations around the world, and compare and contrast their celebration of Christmas with the celebrations of others.
Curated OER
Land Ho! Cole Vs. Van Gogh
Students compare and contrast the landscape works of Thomas Cole and Vincent Van Gogh. In this landscapes lesson, students understand vocabulary related to artworks. Students compare and contrast the artists work through a Venn diagram....
Curated OER
ALIKE, DIFFERENT, OR BOTH?
Students compare and contrast two characters from the play The Diary of Anne Frank on a Venn diagram and write a paragraph showing similarities and differences.
Curated OER
Let's Celebrate Hanukkah!
Students identify and analyze various multicultural celebrations. They list their prior knowledge of the Jewish Holiday known as Hanukkah and listen to various books about the celebration. Students also compare and contrast Hanukkah to...
Curated OER
Jazz and Math: Rhythmic Innovations
Students compare and contrast the rhythms of marches and jazz. They watch an excerpt about Buddy Bolden from the PBS Ken Burns Jazz documentary, compare/contrast march and jazz rhythms, complete a worksheet, and notate and perform jazz...
Curated OER
MONSTERS AND MYTHS: SCRIPTS /SCULPTS
Seventh graders are introduced to myths formed by many cultures as a unique genre of literature. They use critical thinking skills to compare and contrast mythic tales, compare versions of the same story, and respond to literature in...
Curated OER
Different! Diverse! Dynamic! What Do Stories Share?
Students compare and contrast the stories, "Leo, the Late Bloomer," and "Thank You, Mr. Falker." They develop a Venn diagram, and write and illustrate the central theme of the stories.
Curated OER
Impressionism and Beyond
Students view a video, and they are reminded that Impressionism was an artistic movement that begin in Pairs in the 1800s. They are asked to think about the paintings featured in the video and describe the typical style of these works....
Curated OER
Building Bridges for Young Learners--Culture
Students explore the concept of "culture." In this cross curriculum literacy and world history lesson, students listen to a letter written by a child from Namibia, then compare and contrast life in Africa with their own life. Students...
Curated OER
Ellis Island/Angel Island
Fourth graders research Ellis Island and Angel Island. In this library media instructional activity, 4th graders use resources from the library to locate facts about Ellis Island and Angel Island. Students construct a Venn diagram to...
Curated OER
Exploring Force: The Nutcracker
Students explore basic dance element of force, compare and contrast the use of force as it distinguishes the expressive qualities of a given dance, and explore the use of force in several of its many expressions.
Curated OER
Vanishing Verbs
Students analyze recent media trends, and develop critical thinking skills by summarizing main ideas, extracting details, formulating opinions, drawing inferences, and comparing and contrasting attitudes. They also practice paraphrasing...