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Peabody TeachFor teachers and grown-ups

Compare and contrast anchor chart

A free compare and contrast anchor chart: alike and different, the signal words for each, a Venn diagram and a sentence frame. For grades 2–6. Print it on one page, or on four pages to tape together as a poster.

Compare and contrast

only Abothonly B

Compare: tell how two things are alike

Signal words: both, same, alike, also, too

Contrast: tell how they are different

Signal words: but, however, unlike, while, on the other hand

Use a Venn diagram

What only one has goes in its own outside part.

What they share goes in the middle.

Say it this way

Both … and … are …, but … is … while … is …

Free at teach.peabody.kids

How to use it

  • One page: print it for a notebook or a table, or project it while you teach.
  • A poster: print the four pages at 100% (the 10 cm bar on each page checks it). Each page after A1 says where it goes: trim its left and top edges at the marks, lay it over the page before at the ticks, and tape the back. It makes a poster about 15 by 20 inches.
  • Make it yours: build the chart with the class first and keep this one as your model, or add the class's own examples on sticky notes.

More anchor charts: Place valueFractionsMultiplication strategiesSolving a word problemThemeAuthor's purposeCharacter traitsMain idea and detailsPoint of viewCause and effectMaking inferencesSummarizingTone wordsRoundingArea and perimeter