Compare Two Sources
Learners work in pairs: one points to evidence in two short accounts of the same event, the other explains how it answers the task. Swap roles.
Worked classroom example
History
For Compare Two Sources in History, give learners a short source extract about historical interpretations. Ask them to mark one similarity and one difference, citing a detail from each part of the source. Model how to mark the exact word, phrase, label or value that supports the response, then distinguish that evidence from any inference.
Use this example to make the language move visible. Select subject content appropriate to the class’s age and prior knowledge.
Teaching sequence
- Choose two short sources, cases or explanations and give learners one comparison question.
- Mark one point of similarity and one difference in each source. Use a comparison word such as whereas, both or unlike to connect the evidence.
- Ask learners to decide which difference matters most to the question and support that choice with a source detail.
Materials and purpose
two short accounts of the same event
A purposeful reading move helps learners focus on meaning and evidence, while giving them a reason to return to the source.
Try it in your next lesson
Prepare
Use two short accounts of the same event. Choose a second example that checks the same language move without repeating the original answer.
Classroom task
Learners work in pairs: one points to evidence in two short accounts of the same event, the other explains how it answers the task. Swap roles.
Check independent transfer
Ask learners to decide which difference matters most to the question and support that choice with a source detail.
Collect a response on fresh content. Note what was achieved without the model, partner or teacher prompt, then choose one next teaching step.
Teacher language
Teacher language
Which exact detail in the source supports that answer?
“What does the source actually say, and what are you inferring?”
“What cannot be concluded from this evidence alone?”
Respond to the learner
Identify one successful meaning or language choice. Ask about one gap, allow thinking time, then invite a revision. Check the revised move again on a fresh example.
Adjust support and challenge
Offer a brief model, useful vocabulary and partner rehearsal where needed. Keep the subject goal; reduce one prompt on fresh content and record what was independent.
Teaching this skill → · Age and language support →
More support
Chunk the source, gloss essential terms and model one evidence selection. Keep the question’s reasoning demand. Allow familiar-language notes or another response mode when checking subject understanding.
Greater independence
Change the content, evidence or audience. Remove the completed model and ask learners to explain a choice. Increase subject complexity only when it fits the curriculum and prior knowledge.
Choose the next step
If subject meaning is insecure, reteach the concept. If the concept is understood but the English is unclear, model one useful language relationship and invite a fresh response.