Compare and Contrast in "Kenya's Long Dry Season"

In this activity, students will compare what they have read in "Kenya’s Long Dry Season" with the article, "Drought seen getting worse in Washington state this summer" (or similar) in a T-Chart. The T-Chart could have two columns, as in a traditional T-Chart and the example below, or use three columns for a Venn Diagram. These texts both discuss drought and the effects it can have on the environment and community, but for very different locations.

"Kenya’s Long Dry Season"

• For the past three seasons, the rains have failed to come to Kenya.
• Kenya's grasslands are dried out and cattle are dying.
• The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) needs $230 million in donations.

"Drought seen getting worse in Washington state this summer"

• Washington state is experiencing a drought. Farmers are being paid not to water their crops until the end of the summer.
• Salmon may be stranded in shallow water or could be harmed by the warm temperatures.
• The Department of Ecology is waiting for $18 million dollars to get water to help farmers.

Student Instructions

Students will compare, analyze, and synthesize the ideas in two different texts.

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. Write the titles of the two texts in the column headings.
3. Write information from the texts in the description boxes. Be sure that the information in the left column and the right column are related.
4. Add illustrations for each cell, using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
5. Save and Exit