Classroom Practice in Identifying Similarities
and DifferencesDavid E. Cáceres, TEFL Graduate
Program Candidate
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana – UPB
Floridablanca, Santander COLOMBIA
To provide effective teaching “The art of getting information to the students’ memory in an organized manner to facilitate later retrieval.” (Hutchison and Padgett, 2007)
1. COMPARING
Which are some classroom practices that work?
3. METAPHORS 2. CLASSIFYING
4. ANALOGIES
1.2 Two Kinds of Comparisons in Teaching
• Teacher-Directed Comparisons =
1. Comparing
T’ s Goal Ss obtain a general awareness of the similarities and differences for the same characteristics.
1.1 Some Definitions: “…the process of identifying
similarities and differences between or among things or ideas.” (In Marzano, Pickering, Pollock, 2001).
“Technically, the term […] refers to the process of identifying similarities.”
1.3 Graphic Organizers for Comparisons
Venn diagrams: The Blog and the wiki
• Student-Directed Comparisons =
SIZEPREYLIFE
SPANSPECIES
BLOG
-one Administrator-Information published in chronological
order- Mainly, to give
opinions to articles
WIKI
-Many administrators
- No strict order in the publication of
information- Multi task tool
Web tool
s 2.0
Comparison Matrix: Wild Animals- The Canidae Family
Comparison Matrix
Characteristics
Items to be compared
Coyote Fox Wolf
size 46 cms tall,
maximum height
30 cms on average
76 cms tall, on average
prey Small animals
Small animals and fruits
Coyote, deer, beaver
Life Span 10-14 years of age
3 years on average
8 years of age
Species Canid fam.
Canid fam. Canid fam.
Reflection What else can I do
with the information?
* Adapted and retrieved from
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/
2.1 Definition: “… is the process of identifying
similarities and differences on the basis of their characteristics.” (In Marzano, Pickering, Pollock, 2001).
2. Classifying
2.2 Two Kinds of Classifications in Teaching
• Teacher-Directed classifications =
2.3 Two Kinds of Classifications in Teaching
• Teacher-Directed classifications =
So, what are Graphic organizers for? “They are tools students can use as a visual guide to the classifying process.” (Adapted and retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/101041/chapters/Module-2.-Classifying.aspx
2.4 Graphic Organizers for Classifications
Classification Organizer— Information, education, communication, travel, entertainment, and shopping
CATEGORIESInformation
education
Communication
travel shopping
entertainment
Get local weather reports
Do academic research
Chat or instant message
Check vacation plans
Buy gifts
Download music
Read the news
Take online courses
Write a blog Make airline reservations
Buy used goods
Order concert tickets
Classification Organizer— Bubble Chart
3.1 Some quotes:
“The two items in a metaphor are connected by an abstract or nonliteral relationship.” (Marzano,2001)
“Metaphor […] is not only a rhetorical device, but an important mental facility and cognitive instrument.” (Hong-mei, 2010)
“metaphor is not just a way of expressing ideas by means of language, but a way of thinking about things.” (Ungerer & Schmid in Hong-mei, 2010).
“Language, and writing are virtually impossible without metaphor.” (Lakoff & Johnson in Heid).
3. Metaphors
3.2 Teacher – Directed Metaphors
How is this useful for the teaching of English?
3.3 Student – Directed Metaphors
SADNESS IS ,SADNESS IS , and SADNESS IS
3.4 Graphic Organizer for Metaphors
How is this useful for the teaching of English?
Element 1
Literal Pattern
1Abstract Element
2
Literal Pattern
2
It depicts that two elements have somewhat different literal patterns, but they share a common abstract
pattern.
ROBERT DE NIRO is to MOVIES
AS
____________is to ___________
4.4 Analogies
4.1 Some quotes: “Analogies help us to see how seemingly dissimilar things are similar.” (Marzano,2001)
“Analogies deal with relationships between relationships”
“The use of analogies is one means of organizing knowledge in the minds of students.” (Hutchison & Padgett, 2007)
4.2 Teacher – Directed Analogies
DIRTY is to DAVID
AS
LOVELY is to LADY
ANNOYING is to ANNA
AS
LOVELY is to _______
4.3 Student – Directed Analogies
4.4 Graphic Organizers for Analogies
Is to
Is to
Relationship
In conclusion
“Identifying similarities and differences can play out in many ways in the classroom. Students can be engaged in tasks that involve comparisons, classifications, metaphors, and analogies. In addition, these tasks can be either more teacher directed or student directed.” Marzano,2001
Compare the four classroom practices for identifying similarities and differences using the appropriate graphic organizer.
5.Challenge yourselves5.1 Accomplish the following challenges in groups of three.
Identify the two things being compared in each sentence and tell in what way they are alike.
1. The lake was a huge mirror in the moonlight. 2. The playground became a lake after the thunderous rain. 3. I am the glue that holds us together.
Write your own metaphor. Explain the meaning and circle the two items being compared.
Activities adapted and retrieved from Pearson Achievement Solutions. “Metaphors.” Co-nect Professional Development. <http://exchange.co-nect.net>
THANKS!