You will learn
- Say what compare means.
- Find how two stories are alike.
- Find how two stories are different.
- Use a Venn diagram or chart.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Compare means to find how things are alike.
- Contrast means to find how they are different.
- Look at characters, setting and events.
- Use words like both and but.
Words to know
find how things are alike
find how things are different
the two of them
where and when a story happens
1. Discover: Two lost pets
In one story, a puppy named Pip gets lost in a market. A kind girl finds him and takes him home. In another story, a kitten named Mimi gets lost in a forest. A kind boy finds her and takes her home. Both stories end happily. But one is in a market and one is in a forest.
Think: How are the stories alike? How are they different?
2. Understand: Alike and different
Idea 1: Compare and contrast
To compare is to find how things are alike. To contrast is to find how they are different.
Idea 2: What to look at
Look at characters, setting and events. Pip and Mimi are both lost pets. The settings differ: market, forest.
Idea 3: Organise it
Use a chart or Venn diagram. Write alike things in the middle and different things on the sides.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Alike
How are the stories alike?
- Look at the plot.
Answer: Both pets are lost and found.
Example 2 (We do it together): Different
How are they different?
- Look at the setting.
Answer: One is in a market, one in a forest.
Example 3 (You try): Words
Which word shows a difference?
Show the steps and answer
- but, however.
Answer: but
Did you know?
Many cultures have similar stories with different characters and places.
Why this matters
Comparing stories helps you notice details and understand them better.
4. Explore: Venn story
Compare two stories.
- Read two stories.
- Draw two circles.
- Write alike things in the middle.
- Write different things on the sides.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can compare stories.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- Both stories have ___.
- In one story ___.
- In the other story ___.
- They are different because ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What does compare mean?
find how things are alike
Question 2. Name an alike thing in the pet stories.
both pets are lost
Question 3. Name a difference.
different settings
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- To find how things are alike is to ___.
- To find how things are different is to ___.
- Where a story happens is the ___.
- The two of them is ___.
- A Venn diagram has ___ circles.
Level 2: Grow
- Both stories have a ___ pet.
- One story is in a market; the other in a ___.
- Write one word that shows a difference.
Level 3: Stretch
- Why compare?
- What do we look at?
- What shows alike?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Compare two stories you know with a family member.
Show a sample answer
alike and different
Another one. Draw a Venn diagram for two stories.
Show a sample answer
a Venn diagram
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Also say different.
Fix: Check each one.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say what compare means.
- I can find alike things.
- I can find different things.
- I can use a Venn diagram.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Compare finds alike.
- Contrast finds different.
- Look at characters, setting, events.
- Use a Venn diagram.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Summarising short texts. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What does compare mean? [1 mark]
- What does contrast mean? [1 mark]
- Name one alike and one different in the pet stories. [2 marks]
- What is a Venn diagram used for? [1 mark]
- Explain how to compare two stories. [3 marks]
Total: 8 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- find how things are alike [1]
- find how things are different [1]
- alike [1]; different [1]
- to show alike and different [1]
- look at characters, setting, events [1]; find alike [1]; find different [1]
Score guide: 7 to 8 = secure. 5 to 6 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- To find alike is to ___.
- To find different is to ___.
- Where a story happens is the ___.
- A Venn diagram has ___ circles.
- Word for alike: ___.
- True or false: compare finds alike.
- True or false: contrast finds alike.
- Name an alike thing.
- Name a difference.
- Compare two stories.
Homework
Compare two stories and tell a family member.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. To find alike is to ___. | compare | 1 |
| 2. To find different is to ___. | contrast | 1 |
| 3. Where a story happens is the ___. | setting | 1 |
| 4. A Venn diagram has ___ circles. | two | 1 |
| 5. Word for alike: ___. | both | 1 |
| 6. True or false: compare finds alike. | true | 1 |
| 7. True or false: contrast finds alike. | false | 1 |
| 8. Name an alike thing. | both pets are lost | 1 |
| 9. Name a difference. | different settings | 1 |
| 10. Compare two stories. | alike and different | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 compare; 2 contrast; 3 setting; 4 both; 5 two. Level 2: 1 lost; 2 forest; 3 but. Level 3: 1 notice details; 2 characters, setting, events; 3 both.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say what compare means | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Find how two stories are alike | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Find how two stories are different | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use a Venn diagram or chart | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Only saying alike. Also say different.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use a ready-made Venn diagram.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child compares and contrasts two stories. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Read two stories.
- Ask: How are they alike?
- Praise comparing.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say what compare means; find how two stories are alike; find how two stories are different; use a Venn diagram or chart.
Prerequisite knowledge. Simple inferences.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Model comparing.
Explanation (10 min). Teach Venn diagram.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise.
Independent activity (10 min). Share.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. How are they alike? How are they different?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use pictures. Extension. Compare three stories.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Only saying alike. Also say different.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 8-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use a ready-made Venn diagram. Enrichment. Compare three stories. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 2 » Reading: Foundational Skills; Grade 2 » Reading: Literature; Grade 2 » Reading: Informational Text. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core RL.2.9 (compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story); IES What Works Clearinghouse Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade; Cambridge Primary English Stage 2 (reading). These sources informed the lesson.