Compare, contrast, comprehend: Using compare-contrast text structures with ELLs in K-3 classrooms

Dreher, M., & Gray, J. (2009). Compare, contrast, comprehend: Using compare-contrast text structures with ELLs in K-3 classrooms. The Reading Teacher,63 (2), 132-141.

Here’s a “how-to” article outlining how to teach explicitly about the comparison-contrast text structure. The article is aimed toward those who teach ELL students, but the teaching plan I saw here was actually more generic. It could be applied in many contexts (a good thing), but there really isn’t much here that sounds new for working especially with ELL’s (not so good). Not that I don’t think ELLs could benefit from this very simple explicit instruction model. It’s just that when I see ELLs referenced in the title, I expect something especially geared toward ELLs--something new--not the same generic (though good) strategies we use all the time.

I am interested in teaching all students to handle informational text. We know that these kinds of texts aren’t taught enough, especially in lower elementary grades. We also know that ELLs particularly struggle with informational text and academic English. This article didn’t go for enough, but what’s here is clear and useful.