GUEST BLOGGER LYDIA LUKIDIS
Why compare and contrast?
Compare and contrast is an excellent device for students to dive deeper into their research and find new connections. It may help them uncover angles to the topic that they may have never thought of otherwise.
This strategy helped me as I researched and wrote the STEAM picture book Dancing through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights. My first drafts were a simply biography of Mae Jemison until I found my hook; the intersection of science and dance. She always loved engineering, medicine, and astronomy, but she also loved dance. She decided not to give either up, and continued to pursue both passions. Once I discovered this, I compared and contrasted the disciplines of science and dance to ultimately discover how similar they are.
Prep
Before reading the book:
- Have a discussion with students about what they know about the deep space and astronauts.
- You can also ask them what their interests and dreams are. What do they love? What fascinates them? Dr. Mae Jemison is a pioneer in her field and opened the door for many others. She never gave up.
- How would students like to change the world for the better? How can their actions impact others?
After-reading exercises
Class Venn diagram
Make a class Venn Diagram chart to show what Dr. Mae Jemison learned from science, from dance, and from both at once.
Students can draw one for themselves too!
Mae’s story
Draw and label Dr. Mae Jemison pursuing her dreams. Identify her as a scientist, doctor, dancer, and astronaut.
Retell the story of Dr. Mae Jemison’s life. Cite the text to show what her hard work led her to achieve in the fields of science, medicine, and dance. Create a timeline of events.
Extensions
Ask students to describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. Be prepared to provide plenty of support.
Next, ask them to write a text that compares and contrasts their individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information. The length of the text will depend on the age and ability levels of your students.
Standards
ELA CCSS
- Kindergarten: RI.K.1; RI.K.2; RI.K.3; W.K.2; W.K.3; SL.K.5; L.K.6
- 1st Grade: RI.1.1; RI.1.2; RI.1.3; W.1.8; SL.1.2; SL.1.1; SL.1.5
- 2nd Grade: RI.2.1; RI.2.2; RI.2.3; RI.2.4; RI.2.5; RI.2.6; W.2.8; SL.2.1; SL.2.2; SL.2.5
- 3rd Grade: RI.3.1; RI.3.2; RI.3.3; RI.3.8; W.3.7; W.3.8; SL.3.1; SL.3.2
- 4th Grade: RI.4.1; RI.4.2.; RI.4.3; RI.4.5; RI.4.7; RI.4.8; W.4.7-9; SL.4.1
- 5th grade: RI.5.1; RI.5.2; RI.5.3; RI.5.4; RI.5.5; RI.5.8; W.5.7-9; SL.5.1; SL.5.2
Featured image credit: “Comparing and Contrasting” by Carol (vanhookc) is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Lydia Lukidis is the author of 50+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was shortlisted for a Silver Birch Express (Forest of Reading) award, THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST(Kane Press, 2019) which was nominated for a Cybils Award, and NO BEARS ALLOWED (Clear Fork Media, 2019). A science enthusiast from a young age, she now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books.
- Web: http://www.lydialukidis.com/
- Purchase links: https://www.albertwhitman.com/book/dancing-through-space/
- Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/
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