The ability to break a concept down by its characteristics allows students to understand (and often solve) complex problems by analyzing them in a more simple way.

 

 It is essential that we actively teach students the four strategies in this category and provide them adequate time to practice each strategy while giving them feedback as they learn. It is important that students learn to identify, use, and create each strategy.

 

1. Comparing

2. Classifying

3. Creating metaphors

4. Creating analogies

 

Research notes that graphic forms are a good way to represent similarities and differences.