Source: Buehl, D. (2009). Different Perspectives for Reading. Classroom Strategies for Interactive Learning (42-44). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
Analogy charting is a great way to help students connect concepts to real-life scenarios that are applicable to a student's life. Sometimes concepts that teachers are trying to get across to students don't always "click" and make sense. An analogy that relates to a student's lives can assist them in making real life connections. Not only are analogies a powerful strategy to help students understand new information or concepts, but they also have other advantages. Analogy charting can help students enhance their comprehension through analysis of familiar analogous concepts, along with connecting new material to previous background or experiences.
When creating analogy charts there are three ways that students can make connections to their understanding of written text including text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world. Analogy charting is a classroom strategy that should be utilized in order to provide a visual outline for students to analyze key relationships within analogies. This compare/contrast instructional strategy is effective because it encourages students to explore relationships via connecting prior knowledge. This ultimatley broadens their understanding of important concepts, making it memorable for a life time.
When using the instructional strategy teachers should first consider how they will utilize the analogy charting (Eg. to introduce a topic, guide comprehension while reading, synthesizing understanding after reading, etc.). Students should first be aware that their chart will compare similarities and differences between the new concept and something that is already familiar to them within their life. The instructional strategy process first requres students to determine what they already know about the analogous relationship. Teachers should then introduce the analogy chart via overhead, computer, handouts, etc. to allow students to begin brainstorming. Students should begin generating ideas about specific characteristics that are common to both the new concept and the familiar concept and then consider differences. Next, teachers should facilitate a group discussion with students in order to collaborate about categories that make up the basis for the comparision. Lastly, students should write a summary statement about the similarities of the new concept compared to the familiar concept.
I feel that this instructional strategy would be an effective tool to use in a variety of classroom settings (Eg. English, Social Studies, Art, etc.). It generates collaboration amongst peers and teachers and facilitates a deeper thought process allowing concepts to be better understood. Analogy charting provides an instructional focus for classrooms and overall insures that a goal, action, and outcome are initiated and completed during a class session. I think that analogy charts also give teachers a flexible tool to alter and individualize for individual classroom interests and needs.
Comments (1)
I think any time a lesson gives students an opportunity to connect knowledge they already have to new knowledge, that is a good idea. Furthermore, anytime you use a visual aid, such as a map in this case, students actually writing down information, it is effective. Generally most students will benefit from a technique that employs using an organizational tool for new information, but this is especially good for students with exceptionalities. This way students can talk about the analogies and write it down, appealing to a greater population of learners.
Posted by Elle Tallent | March 3, 2010 1:23 PM
Posted on March 3, 2010 13:23