When it comes to teaching language arts, one essential skill for students to develop is the ability to compare and contrast texts in different genres. This skill helps them to deepen their understanding of the texts, analyze how the authors use different techniques and elements to convey their messages and appreciate the diversity and richness of literature.
In this blog post, I will share a lesson plan I use with my 6th-grade students to teach them how to compare and contrast texts in different genres. The lesson plan includes a hook, a video lesson, a practice activity, an extension activity, and a closing activity.
Get the complete lesson plan here, including printables and links to the digital resources.
Comparing Stories in Different Genres
Hook: Sorting Texts by Themes
To start the lesson, I give each student cards with excerpts from well-known novels in different genres. Some of the novels I use are:
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (fantasy)
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (science fiction)
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (historical fiction)
- Holes by Gary Louis Sachar (adventure)
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (realistic fiction )
- The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (poetry)
I ask the students to read the excerpts and sort them into groups based on their themes. For example, some of the themes they might identify are:
- friendship
- survival
- courage
- identity
- fate
- decision-making
I then ask the students to share their groups and explain their choices. I also ask them to notice how the authors approach similar themes and topics using different genres.
Video Lesson: Definitions and Examples of Different Genres
I created a video for this lesson. The video covers the definitions and examples of different genres, including historical fiction, science fiction, mystery, adventure, fantasy, and poetry. The video lesson also explains how to compare and contrast texts in different genres using a Venn diagram.
While watching the video lesson, I ask the students to complete a graphic organizer summarizing each genre’s main features and characteristics. The graphic organizer also has space for them to write down examples of texts they have read or heard of in each genre.
Practice Activity: Comparing Texts by Genres
To further reinforce the concept of comparing texts in different genres, engage students in a hands-on activity where they watch three short films:
- Film – Commercial 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro TV Spot
- Documentary – Saving Leatherback Turtles | Blue Planet II | BBC Earth
- Animated Short – Turtle Journey: The Crisis in our Oceans
After viewing each film, students should complete a chart that guides them through comparing and contrasting. The chart should include genre, themes, setting, characters, and message elements. Please encourage students to identify similarities and differences among the films and discuss their findings as a class.
I ask the students to identify the genre of each video and fill out a chart that guides them through the compare and contrast process. The chart has questions such as:
- How does each video approach the theme and topic?
- What message does each video convey?
- What are some similarities and differences between the videos?
- Which video did you find most effective in conveying its message? Why?
I then have the students share their answers with a partner or a small group and discuss their findings.
Extension Activity: Comparing Texts by Versions
For the extension activity, I give each student a set of texts with different versions in different genres. Each text contains a story and poem version. I have included the following in the handout for you to use with your students:
- The Attack of Polybotes: a story from Greek mythology
- Odysseus and the Cyclops: a story from Homer’s Odyssey
- Greeks at Thermopylae: a historical event
I ask the students to read each text version and compare and contrast them using a T-chart.
Then, I have the students share their T-charts with a partner or a small group and discuss their opinions.
Extension Activity: Comparing Texts by Versions
For the extension activity, I give each student a set of texts with different versions in different genres. Each text contains a story and poem version. I have included the following in the handout for you to use with your students:
- The Attack of Polybotes: a story from Greek mythology
- Odysseus and the Cyclops: a story from Homer’s Odyssey
- Greeks at Thermopylae: a historical event
I ask the students to read each text version and compare and contrast them using a T-chart.
Then, I have the students share their T-charts with a partner or a small group and discuss their opinions.
Closing Activity: Multimedia Presentation
For the closing activity, I have the students create a multimedia presentation on sea turtles, their habitats, and the impact of pollution on their survival. I ask the students to use different genres and formats to present their information, such as:
- poem or song
- comic strip or poster
- slideshow or video
I also ask the students to include a reflection on how they chose and used different genres and formats to convey their message and engage their audience. Then, I have the students present their multimedia presentations to the class and give feedback to each other.
Once again, here is the link to the handouts.
Comparing texts in different genres is a fun and meaningful way to help students develop their reading skills and appreciate literature. I hope you find this lesson plan valuable and adaptable for your classroom. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Thank you for reading!
See all the posts in this series.
