IDENTIFYING SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
Classroom Recommendations
Classroom Instruction That Works suggests five recommendations for identifying similarities and differences.
1. Remember to use different methods when asking students to identify similarities and differences. Many ELLs will benefit from orally identifying similarities and differences, whereas Intermediate, Advanced Fluency, and English-dominant students can engage in the same activity using written language.
2. Model each method of identifying similarities and differences. Provide visuals for ELLs while teaching them the steps of the task, use clear and concise speech with shorter sentences, and reduce your use of idioms while speaking.
3. Begin with a familiar topic when modeling. Using culturally familiar topics is one method of adapting a lesson for ELLs.
4. Use graphic organizers to represent the similarities and differences. Visual representations are always highly effective with ELLs.
5. Guide ELLs through the process of identifying similarities and differences but lessen the support as you repeat activities.
