Category: Identifying Similarities and Differences

Tite: Comparing Using a Matrix

Time Needed: 20-30 Minutes
Room Arrangement: Typical Room Arrangement
Materials: Matrix (one per student), pencils, research materials for example, computer, textbook
or other books.
Process/Directions: After showing the students how to fill out the matrix, and doing one example
with them, I will allow the students to research and fill in the rest of the matrix. (In different
circumstances, like grade level, material availability, or assignment, I will either allow students
to work together or individually.)
Example of when I would use this: When comparing the different climate regions in the Western
Hemisphere. The items to be compared would be the regions, then the characteristics would be
temperature, land features, plant life, animal life, etc. Then students would have to come up with
similarities and differences for each region in the Western Hemisphere.
Source:
Marzano, R., & Pickering, D. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based
strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development.