Minds On
Compare and contrast
When we have two different things, and we notice what is the same or different about them, we call that to compare and contrast.
Let's explore the following example:
There was a video game called "Racing Places." A few years after the game was released, a new version came out called "Racing Places Special Edition."
A player might like that both games still have a giraffe character and a brown bear character for driving, and that fireworks go off once you win a race. In this way both video games are the same.
The new version does not let you pick hats for your driver, but it does let you add your name on the screen. You could not do that in the original version. This is a way the games are different.
Now it’s your turn to compare and contrast!
Access the following episode of the TVO show Tee and Mo to find out what happens when all of Tee’s friends have the newest ape toy, “Mega Action Ape.”
After exploring the video, consider the following questions:
- Which toy did Tee and his friends find most appealing? Why?
- What are some of the differences between Action Ape and the new Mega Action Ape?
Task: original Action Ape vs new Mega Action Ape
Identify the features of the new Mega Action Ape and the original Action Ape. Then compare and contrast similarities and differences between Action Ape and the new Mega Action Ape. You may choose to record the answers in your notebook using a Venn diagram like the one in the following image. You can also create an audio clip or record your work using another method of your choice.
What do you think?
Now that you have compared the features of the different versions of Action Ape, consider the following questions:
- Which toy ape do you prefer? Why?
- Which toy ape was less appealing to you? Why?
- What features would you add to the toy ape to make it more appealing?
Action
Task 1: Comparing different types of media texts
Compare two different types of media texts about rhinos.
TVOK News: Baby rhino at the Toronto Zoo
Let’s examine the following media text from TVOK News broadcast entitled “Baby rhino at the Toronto Zoo.”
Zamzoom’s animal adventures: Rhinos
Now examine the following episode from Zamzoom’s Animal Adventure entitled “Rhino.”
After you have explored both videos, consider the following questions to help you compare the two different types of media text:
- What type of media text is the first video?
- Who is the intended audience for TVOK News?
- What type of media text is the second video?
- Who is the intended audience for Zamzoom’s Animal adventures?
- What are some of the elements and characteristics of each form of media?
- Which type of media text did you prefer? Why?
Task 2: Forming an opinion
Choose a favourite book or audio book and form an opinion about what you like and don’t like about it.
After choosing your favourite book or audio book, consider the following questions:
- What do you like about the book or audio book?
- Who are your favourite characters and why?
- Do the main characters have a catch phrase that they always say?
- How can you tell what is happening in the book or audio book?
- Is there anything you don’t like about this book?
Task 3: Creating a review
Write or record a review for your book or audio book! Your answers from the previous questions will help. Examine the following sample book review to gather some ideas:
Space Findings by Lara Chan
If you like reading about space, you will love this book! It tells you all about different things in space such as stars, planets, and the moon. It has really cool facts and the pictures are big and shiny. At the end there is a “Did You Know” quiz where you can check if you are a Space Expert! You will definitely become an expert if you read this book!
In your review, consider the following questions to describe:
- Who might like this book?
- What type of book is it?
- Who would you recommend this book to? Why?
Consolidation
Designing a toy
Design a new-and-improved toy that you think would be appealing to children. Consider the following questions to guide your design:
- What features would you add?
- What materials would you use?
- Who would this toy appeal to?
- Share how your new and improved toy is the same or different from the other toy.
Record your design decisions. You can complete the Table for Designing a Toy in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to organize your thoughts. You can also use a method of your choice to record your design plan.
Consider the following questions to help you gather ideas for the design of your new and improved toy. Record your answers in the following table.
| Name of toy | |
|---|---|
| What features will this toy have? | |
| What materials will you use? | |
| What colours will you use? | |
| Who would enjoy this toy? | |
|
Compare your toy with the old version: How are the toys the same? |
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Contrast your toy with the old version: How are the toys different? |
Advertise your toy
Create a commercial, poster, or audio recording to advertise your new and improved toy.
- How is your toy better than the original?
- What did you decide to include in your advertisement? Why?
- How do you think your advertisement will catch the attention of your audience?
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.