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.
Related learning resources
Compare and Contrast: Short Stories
Worksheet
Compare and Contrast: Short Stories
Your students will read two short stories, then compare and contrast the characters, problems, solutions, and themes with the help of a graphic organizer.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Comparing Two Fiction Texts
Worksheet
Comparing Two Fiction Texts
Learners compare two fiction stories for characters, setting, and plot in this reading comprehension worksheet.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Comparing and Contrasting Short Stories
Lesson plan
Comparing and Contrasting Short Stories
This lesson will have your students learn to compare and contrast using both a classic fairy tale and a fractured versions of a fairy tale.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Ogg and the Beanstalk
Story
Ogg and the Beanstalk
Teach kids about the importance of story perspective with this interactive version of Jack and the Beanstalk, retold from the Giant's point of view.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Story
