Lessons & Units :: Compare and Contrast 2nd Grade Unit

Lesson 2: Using Compare and Contrast Key Words

Lesson Plan

Stellaluna | 550L

Stellaluna
Learning Goal
Use key words to compare and contrast two objects.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Example Chart, “Moving to a New Town” Independent Practice Passage
Not Provided: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, markers, chart paper, lined paper

  • Teacher Modeling

    will review the “compare” key words (like, alike, same, resemble, too) and “contrast” key words (but, different, however) we learned in Lesson 1. I will read aloud Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. I will write one sentence comparing bats and birds using a “compare” key word. I will write one sentence contrasting bats and birds using a “contrast” key word. (Direct Teaching and Guided Practice Example Chart is provided in Teacher and Student Materials below.)

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I write my compare and contrast sentences? Students should respond that you read the story and identified things that were similar and different between bats and birds. Then, you used compare key words to write a sentence about their similarities and you used contrast key words to write a sentence about their differences.

  • Guided Practice

    will continue comparing the contrasting bats and birds. We will use “compare” and “contrast” key words to write a sentence comparing and contrasting birds and bats. (Direct Teaching and Guided Practice Example Chart is provided below.)

  • Independent Practice

    will reread the passage from the Independent Practice in Lesson 1, “Moving to a New Town.” You will write two sentences comparing the two towns using “compare” key words. You will write two sentences contrasting the two towns using “contrast” key words.

    TIP: Provide visual scaffolding by displaying compare and contrast key words in a prominent place in the classroom. This will remind students to use these words in their reading as well when they complete the Independent Practice.

Build Student Vocabulary swooped

Tier 2 Word: swooped
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story One night, an owl swooped down upon the mother bat and Stellaluna.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Swoop means to rush down or pounce on something from above. When the owl swooped down upon the bats, she quickly flew down at them from above.
Students repeat the word Say the word swooped with me: swooped.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts I saw a man feeding pigeons in the park, and one large bird swooped down and grabbed the biggest piece of bread. When I was at the beach, I watched the seagulls swoop down to catch a fish. The teacher swooped the test papers from his desk and left the room.
Students provide examples Tell me about a time when you saw something swoop down. Start by saying “Once I saw ______ swoop down to ____________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? swoop
Additional Vocabulary Words dodging, tangle

Build Student Background Knowledge

Pause before reading pages 33-34 ("But it's nighttime . . . "). Explain to your students that bats are nocturnal animals. This means that they can see in the dark and catch their prey—large insects like beetles and moths that come out at night. An association between bats and vampires exists because vampires, fictional creatures, are said to only come out at night. Vampires are not real, but if they were, they would be nocturnal, like bats. Assure your students that bats do not suck the blood of human beings.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

User Comments

Thanks, I will add this to my Stellaluna unit.

Submitted by jennifer.flynn_1754995 on 3/29/16

I have used Stellaluna and Nightsong to hit many to our RL standards in second grade. I was glad to find another Stellaluna plan on your site to add in with my own!

Submitted by abryan_1 on 2/17/15

I was asked to find out side resouces to teah CC. Thank you for helping to transistion over. I hope that you will continue to help teachers acoss the U.S. to be the best we can for our students.

Submitted by hwalls on 2/5/13

Thank you for the EXCELLENT resources aligned to Common Core. It is wonderful that we can find our state standards as well. This is an awesome website. I appreciate the materials and guide!
We are preparing for our mid year assessments next week and this is the perfect way to review the standards!

Submitted by Nkechi on 12/8/12

Hi Nkechinyere,
I am glad you like it. I have also enjoyed arranging my stories to suit the skills that I am teaching at the time.
. Good to hear from you.
Nena

Submitted by nena on 2/9/16