Level 1 • Lesson 71 — Comparing two stories

Objective

Read or listen to two short stories about the same topic, tell what is the same and what is different, and say which story you like more and why.

Materials

Two very short stories about the same topic (for example, two dog stories or two school stories)
Chart with three rows: “Same”, “Different in Story 1”, “Different in Story 2”
Sticky notes to jot ideas from each story
Crayons or markers to circle matching parts in each story

Mini-lesson — Same and different in stories

Good readers sometimes read more than one story about the same topic. Then they compare the stories.

When we compare, we look for things that are:

Same — both stories have it
Different — only one story has it

We can compare:

Characters — Who is in each story?
Setting — Where does each story happen?
Big events and endings — What happens and how it ends

We use special comparing words to help us talk:

“Both stories have a dog.”
“They are the same because they are both at school.”
“They are different because only Story 2 has a race.”

We can also share our opinion after we compare:

“I liked Story 1 more because it was funnier.”
“I liked Story 2 more because I liked the ending.”

Today you will read or listen to two short stories, find what is the same and what is different, and say which story you like more and why.

Picture strip: Story 1 vs Story 2

Guided Practice — Mini-book: Comparing stories

How to use this mini-book:

Read two real short stories first.
Then read each page of the mini-book together.
Use the chart to write or draw things that are the same and different.

Use words like both, same, different out loud as you talk together.

Comparing words

same different both story character setting

Frames: “Both stories ___.” “Only Story 1 ___.” “They are different because ___.”

Mini-Book: Comparing two stories

1

Two stories, one topic

We can read two stories about the same thing, like two dog stories. We listen for parts we can compare.

What is the topic of our two stories?

2

What is the same?

First we look for what is the same. Maybe both stories have a dog and a park. We say, “In both stories…”

What is one thing that is the same?

3

Characters and settings

We can compare who is in each story and where it happens. We notice if the characters or places match.

Who is in Story 1? Who is in Story 2?

4

Events and endings

We also compare what happens and how each story ends. We ask, “Do the stories end the same way?”

How are the endings the same or different?

5

Using same and different

We use words like same, different, and both. These words help us tell how the two stories go together.

Say one “same” sentence and one “different” sentence.

6

Which did you like?

We can choose a favorite story and tell why. We might like the ending, the pictures, or the characters more.

Which story did you like better and why?

Reading Practice — Same or different?

Read about the two stories. Choose the best answer about how they are the same or different. Then press “Check answers”.

1) Story 1: A dog plays in the yard.
Story 2: A dog plays at the park.
What is the same?

2) Story 1 happens at school. Story 2 happens at home.
What is different?

3) In both stories, a child loses something and finds it again at the end.
What is the same?

4) Story 1: The girl wins the race.
Story 2: The race ends in a tie.
What is different?

5) Both stories are about brothers who share a room.
What is the same?

6) Which words are most helpful when you compare two stories?

7) Which sentence is a good way to share your opinion after comparing?

8) After two dog stories, which sentence shows good comparing?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) What does it mean to compare two stories?

Read only one story and ignore the other Look for what is the same and what is different Count how many pages each has without reading

2) Which words are best for talking about two stories?

maybe, sort of, um red, yellow, blue same, different, both

3) If you say, “Both stories have a cat,” you are telling…

something that is the same something that is different nothing about the stories

4) If you say, “Only Story 1 is at night,” you are telling…

a same detail a different detail the title of the book

5) When you compare stories, you can look at…

only the covers only how heavy the books are the characters, settings, and big events

6) Which question helps you compare two stories?

“How are these two stories the same?” “What is my favorite snack?” “What time is it?”

7) After comparing, how can you share your opinion?

“I will not tell anyone.” “I liked Story 1 more because…” “Books are boring.”

8) Two stories both have a park, but different characters. What can you say?

“They are the same in every way.” “They are not the same at all.” “They both happen in a park, but the characters are different.”

9) If you forget one story, what should you do before you compare?

Read or hear that story again Guess without rereading Only talk about the other story

10) To get better at comparing stories, you can…

never read more than one story read two short stories and practice saying what is the same and different only look at the pictures

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Can describe in simple words how two stories are about the same topic Can name at least one way the stories are the same Can name at least one way the stories are different Uses words like same, different, and both when speaking Can give a simple opinion about which story they like and why

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can say how two stories are the same and different 🙂 I need more practice comparing stories 😅 Comparing stories still feels tricky

I will practice…

Using words like same, different, and both Talking about characters, settings, and endings Saying which story I liked and why

Lesson 71: Comparing two stories