You will learn
- Find likenesses and differences.
- Use signal words.
- Complete a Venn diagram.
- Write a comparison.
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
- Name the two subjects.
- List what they share.
- List how they differ.
- Write with signal words.
Words to know
to show how things are alike
to show how things are different
two circles showing likenesses and differences
a word that shows contrast
1. Discover: Frogs and toads
Frogs and toads are both amphibians. They both lay eggs in water and start life as tadpoles. However, frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for jumping, whereas toads have dry, bumpy skin and shorter legs for walking and hopping.
Think: What do they share and how do they differ?
2. Understand: Alike and different
Idea 1: Compare
To compare is to show likenesses. Words: both, also, similarly, like.
Idea 2: Contrast
To contrast is to show differences. Words: however, but, whereas, unlike.
Idea 3: Venn diagram
A Venn diagram has two circles. Put differences in the outer parts and likenesses in the middle.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Alike
Name one likeness.
- Both.
Answer: both are amphibians (or both start as tadpoles)
Example 2 (We do it together): Different
Name one difference.
- Skin.
Answer: frogs have smooth skin; toads have bumpy skin
Example 3 (You try): Signal
Name a contrast word.
Show the steps and answer
- However, whereas.
Answer: however (or whereas)
Did you know?
Frogs and toads are in the same animal group, and toads are really a kind of frog.
Why this matters
Comparing helps you see how topics connect and differ.
4. Explore: Venn it
Compare two things.
- Choose two animals.
- Draw a Venn diagram.
- Fill it in.
- Write a short comparison.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can compare and contrast.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- Both ___ and ___ are ___.
- However, ___ is ___ whereas ___ is ___.
- They are alike because ___.
- They differ because ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. To show how things are alike is to ___.
compare
Question 2. To show how things are different is to ___.
contrast
Question 3. Two circles showing likeness and difference make a ___ diagram.
Venn
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- To show how things are alike is to ___.
- To show how things are different is to ___.
- Two circles showing likeness and difference make a ___ diagram.
- A word that shows contrast is ___.
- Frogs and toads start as ___.
Level 2: Grow
- What skin do frogs have?
- What skin do toads have?
- Where do they lay eggs?
Level 3: Stretch
- Is “both” a comparing word?
- Is “however” a contrasting word?
- Do frogs and toads share anything?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Draw a Venn diagram comparing two animals and write three sentences.
Show a sample answer
a Venn diagram
Another one. Compare two animals or plants and write four sentences.
Show a sample answer
a completed task
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can find likenesses and differences.
- I can use signal words.
- I can complete a Venn diagram.
- I can write a comparison.
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
- Name the two subjects.
- List what they share.
- List how they differ.
- Write with signal words.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Problem and solution. 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]
- Give two signal words for contrast. [2 marks]
- Name one likeness and one difference between frogs and toads. [2 marks]
- Explain how to compare two things. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- show how things are alike [1]
- show how things are different [1]
- however [1]; whereas/but [1]
- both are amphibians [1]; skin smooth vs bumpy [1]
- name the two things [1]; list likenesses and differences [1]; use signal words and a Venn diagram [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- To show how things are alike is to ___.
- To show how things are different is to ___.
- Two circles showing likeness and difference make a ___ diagram.
- A word that shows contrast is ___.
- Frogs and toads start as ___.
- What skin do frogs have?
- What skin do toads have?
- Where do they lay eggs?
- Is “both” a comparing word?
- Is “however” a contrasting word?
Homework
Compare two animals or plants and write four sentences.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. To show how things are alike is to ___. | compare | 1 |
| 2. To show how things are different is to ___. | contrast | 1 |
| 3. Two circles showing likeness and difference make a ___ diagram. | Venn | 1 |
| 4. A word that shows contrast is ___. | whereas | 1 |
| 5. Frogs and toads start as ___. | tadpoles | 1 |
| 6. What skin do frogs have? | smooth and moist | 1 |
| 7. What skin do toads have? | dry and bumpy | 1 |
| 8. Where do they lay eggs? | in water | 1 |
| 9. Is “both” a comparing word? | yes | 1 |
| 10. Is “however” a contrasting word? | yes | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 compare; 2 contrast; 3 Venn; 4 whereas; 5 tadpoles. Level 2: 1 smooth and moist; 2 dry and bumpy; 3 in water. Level 3: 1 yes; 2 yes; 3 yes.
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 Find likenesses and differences | 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 Use signal words | 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 Complete a Venn diagram | 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 Write a comparison | 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: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
- 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 practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Listen while your child explains the idea.
- Ask for one new example.
- Praise effort and careful work.
- 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: find likenesses and differences; use signal words; complete a Venn diagram; write a comparison.
Prerequisite knowledge. Cause and effect.
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). Introduce the idea with the opening example.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.
Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?
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 the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-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. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. 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 4 » Reading: Foundational Skills; Grade 4 » Reading: Literature; Grade 4 » 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 RI.4.5 and RI.4.9; Cambridge Primary English Stage 4 (non-fiction). These sources informed the lesson.