Similarities and Differences Teacher Resources

Engage your learners in a cross-cultural study by having them read, compare, and contrast various Cinderella stories from different cultures around the world. From this exercise, they will learn that plot element can seem different, but...

Explore the melting pot in your own classroom with a lesson plan that focuses on cultural beliefs, traditions, and traits. Middle and high schoolers examine the details of their own identified cultures before sharing them with peers, and...

Students examine the cultural tradition of storytelling. In this storytelling instructional activity, students explore stories from 3 different cultures and evaluate the roles that storytelling plays in each of the cultures to pass on...

This lesson is intended for a music class but would be a great way to teach compare and contrast to any class. Kindergarteners dance the Hokey Pokey to four different styles of music and examine two paintings of Humpty Dumpty, then...

First graders examine the culture of the ancient Gullah people. As a class, they practice saying and writing the days of the week and numbers in Gullah. They are read a Gullah folktale and put the events of the story into the correct...

A take on "If You're Happy and You Know It" opens a lesson about similarities and differences. Scholars speak in-depth on the unique characteristics that make up their classroom. The teacher or counselor records responses. Class members...

Apples and oranges—how are they the same and how are they different? Find out with a music video that carefully describes the similarities and differences between apples and oranges. Viewers observe as hand-drawn animations illustrate...

How does cultural diversity impact political identity? That is the question researchers face as they continue their examination of the European Union and the programs it has developed in its attempt to achieve unity in diversity. To gain...

Students discuss the similarities and differences in their cultural traditions. In this quilt of cultures lesson, students sing and dance to "Smile at your Neighbor." Students write down their favorite food, holiday, family activity,...

Students examine and explore cultural traditions that make their own families unique. In groups, they discuss traditions, write about the similarities and differences in the group, and interview other students.

Students learn about a new culture.  In this Native American environment lesson, students begin a unit on Native Americans where they learn about their homes and the environment they lived in.  Students view pictures of Native American...

Students explore cultural diversity. For this cultural awareness lesson, students examine the similarities and differences in various cultures and discuss the value of these differences.

Who says getting to know your neighbors has to be difficult? The first resource in a three-part series creates an engaging project that teaches your scholars about Canadian culture. A question-and-answer format takes place via e-mail and...

Here is a fantastic lesson that integrates the culture, food, and rituals of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The class discusses what they know about the holidays typically associated with each of the three religions, then they analyze...

Students study the language, heritage, traditions, and customs of other cultures by becoming member of simulated families in other parts of the world.

Deep down, everyone is the same. Discuss the similarities and differences between people across cultures with a series of reading activities based on the beautiful story and illustrations in Whoever You Are by Mem Fox.

Fifth graders explore the contributions of different cultures to the American landscape. Students work in groups and use a variety of resources to create a presentation about a group that emigrated to America.

Students create a presentation about themselves to share with the class. They include information from their family and their heritage. They compare and contrast their culture to their classmates.

Students investigate their cultural heritage and make observations on how much influence their past has on their current values and lifestyle. They brainstorm a list of things that represent a certain country or cultural heritage and...

First graders explore the practices and products of the two cultures. They build log cabins and teepees or Hogans, make costumes, use vocabulary and Native American symbols to write stories, create art products such as pinch pots and...

How much does your class know about Kwanzaa? Using the Internet, pupils practice using the Internet to find information. They then compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Kwanzaa and Christmas.

Students study an ancient culture in Mexico whose people were called the Mayans. They compare certain aspects of Mayan culture with Ancient Egypt. They discuss why some other ancient cultures (Egypt and China) were able to survive for...

Students complete pre-visit and post-visit activities about the koalas they see at the zoo. In this koalas lesson plan, students read books, and answer questions about the similarities and differences they see when they observe the koala...