Thinking Skills - Analogies

Solo level sheet with information for Assessment for Learning [Word 27KB]

Overview:

This is a technique that helps pupils understand an unfamiliar idea or concept by comparing it with something familiar. Analogies could be diagrams which pupils link to terms, pairs of words which have similar relationships, cartoons, metaphors, allegories or parables. Analogies can be very helpful in refining pupils’ understanding of specific terminology and concepts.

Return to top

Thinking skill objectives:

Make sure you have a thinking skills objective for the lesson
Share objectives with pupils at the beginning of the lesson and refer to it throughout.

Thinking skills you can develop through analogies are:

Reasoning
Information processing

Return to top

Task management:

A Groupings

Groups of 2 -3 pupils would work well depending of course of the nature of the task set!
Make sure the pairs or groups sit around one table and can all see the resources provided

B Materials

These will vary according to the type of analogy you want to use for example; a set of images and terms to link together, a cartoon to interpret or a parable to interpret and rewrite.
Once pupils have the idea of an analogy, the task may be for pupils to produce their own.
It is important that there is an element of ambiguity in what is produced, so that pupils must discuss, justify and make decisions in their groups.

C Role of the teacher

Listen carefully to pupils when they are working and make note of any comments useful for your metacognitive plenary.
Make the thinking skill objective clear through out the lesson.
Try not to solve problems for pupils, ask questions to prompt further thinking.

D Timings

This will vary enormously according to how type of analogy being used. A cartoon to interpret could be a quick starter activity, where as a rewrite of a parable to demonstrate meaning could take 30 – 40 minutes. Where pupils are producing their own analogies, more time may have to be given for planning, review and development.

Return to top

Metacognitive plenary:

In the Metacognitive plenary you need to include questions like:

What did you think at first?
Did you change your mind? Why?
Which bits were hard to work out? Why do you think that was?
How might you use this strategy in other subjects? How?
Could you use the strategy out of school? How?

Return to top

Assessment for learning:

Return to top

Examples of lessons

Awaiting subject materials.

Have you prepared a thinking skills lesson that has worked well for you and that you are prepared to share?

If so please complete the attached form [Word 35KB]

Return to top

Return to strategies list

Return to the Thinking skills home page