There are so many ways to teach 2nd grade students how to compare and contrast similar texts. One of the most effective and engaging ways to bring this concept to life is with compare and contrast fairy tales. Bonus – you’ll be addressing multiple standards at the same time!

2nd Grade Standards Met:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures.

List of Compare and Contrast Fairy Tales

You can find several great books based on fairy tales in your local or school library. The trick is to be sure you have very different perspectives on the same story so there’s lots of interesting information to compare! 

Here are some recommendations that work really well for comparing and contrasting well-known fairy tales.

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Cinderella

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Little Red Riding Hood

The Three Little Pigs

Things to Compare and Contrast

You’ll be able to find lots of differences between fairy tales. The characters, story events, perspectives, and setting are often the biggest differences. There will be similarities too. Often the problem/ solution and the main idea or central message will stay the same regardless of the version you read.

Things to compare: 

• Characters
• Story Events
• Point of View
• Setting
• Problem/ Solution
• Main Idea or Central Message

Start by reading the traditional version aloud. Take note of story elements on an anchor chart. Read this post: 2nd Grade Reading Comprehension Pages with anchor chart examples for comparing and contrasting. 

Next, read another version of the fairy tale and note those story elements. From here, you can use a Venn Diagram to compare the things about the two stories that were the same and different. 

You can repeat this process with additional versions of the same fairy tale to really solidify this concept for your students!

More Ideas for Independent Practice with Comparing and Contrasting

Once students understand the concept of comparing and contrasting stories, it's time for them to practice on their own.

Here are some ways to give your students independent practice with the compare and contrast standards.

2nd Grade Compare & Contrast Reading Passages

Give kids a compare and contrast passage and have them answer the accompanying comprehension questions. These passages lend themselves well to partner work too.

Learn more about Leveled Compare and Contrast Reading Passages in THIS POST: Reading Comprehension Passages or in this video:

2nd Grade Reading Toothy

Toothy tasks will give students an opportunity for independent practice in a fun way!

Project the digital version to teach the class how to play. Then, assign either the digital or printable Toothy game as a literacy center activity.

Check out the following video to see Reading Toothy in action:

Printable Toothy

Digital Toothy

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