Be a Compare and Contrast Master With Markers

Even though your fourth grader loves those video games, he can still have fun learning using hands on manipulatives! Fourth graders need lots of practice with writing skills such as comparing and contrasting information. This is also a real life skill used for many things like watching the news, shopping for groceries, and reading a magazine article! To make practicing those writing skills fun, here's an activity that will have your child organizing, comparing, and contrasting information using a wipe-off white board.

• small dry erase board (sidewalk chalk, construction paper, or pencil and paper also work)
• dry erase marker
• dry eraser
• list of topic ideas (given below)
• pencil
• lined paper

What You Do:

Step 1:
Tell your child he's going to use a dry erase board (sidewalk chalk , or paper) to create his own game and practice his writing skills! He will be creating what teachers call a "graphic organizer,"- specifically a "Venn Diagram," to use in comparing and contrasting information from two sources.

Have him choose a topic from the list below and write the title on the top of their lined paper.

Topic ideas for Venn Diagram:

1. The beach vs. Disney World- which family vacation is the best value for the money?

2. Gasoline fueled cars vs. electric cars-which is best for the future?

3. Riding a scooter vs. riding a bike

4. Attending summer day camp vs. camp away from home

5. Birthday Party Fun: Water balloons vs. shaving cream?

Step 2:
Have your researcher look for two different informational sources to gather facts for his Venn Diagram, such as a library book or the Internet. He can record the facts he finds using words or phrases on the lined paper from Step 1. Your child might also interview someone with experience or factual knowledge on their topic. For example, if he chose topic #2, he could interview a parent who owns a gasoline fueled car, and then research the electric car at the library. He might also use a dictionary or an encyclopedia, or call places of interest for such topics as the beach, or a local summer camp for prices and program details.