Lesson plan
Comparing and Contrasting Short Stories
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to compare and contrast short stories.
The adjustment to the whole group lesson is a modification to differentiate for children who are English learners.
Introduction
(5 minutes)
- Tell students that today they will be comparing and contrasting short stories.
- Ask students if they know the meaning of the terms compare and contrast.
- Define the terms on the chart paper for student reference.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(20 minutes)- Bring students to the rug and project a classic illustrated fairy tale, such as "The Three Little Pigs." Read the story aloud.
- Then read aloud the fractured fairy tale, such as "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig."
- If needed, provide a wiggle break, or stretch break, between books.
Guided Practice
(5 minutes)- Project page two (the blank graphic organizer) of the Compare and Contrast: Short Stories worksheet.
- Define or review the following terms: problem, solution, and theme.
- With input from student volunteers, compare and contrast the two story versions of "The Three Little Pigs" on the graphic organizer.
Independent working time
(20 minutes)- Distribute the Compare and Contrast: Short Stories worksheet.
- Instruct students to read the passages with their partners, alternating sentences.
- Instruct students to complete the graphic organizer comparing and contrasting the two short stories.
Differentiation
Support: While others work independently, call your struggling readers into a group to work with you.
Enrichment: For students needing a greater challenge, have students read more difficult stories, such as those in the Compare and Contrast Fictional Stories: First Day at the New School worksheet.
Assessment
(5 minutes)- Circulate the room while students are working, answering questions and informally assessing students’ abilities.
- Student fluency, comprehension, and writing abilities should be noted for future small group work with you.
- Ask students to turn in their worksheets. Review later for comprehension and accuracy.
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Call students back together.
- Ask student volunteers to share the similarities and differences of the two stories, as well as their reasoning behind their ideas.
- Record your answers on your copy of the graphic organizer.
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