Image of Batman and bats
DaNny R. Rivera (Nosey Costume); Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo (Glide, Two-Face); Collection Christophel/Alamy Stock Photo (Batmobile); Shutterstock.com (All other Images)
Alike and Different,

Which is More Amazing? Batman or Bats?

Batman is a superhero. Bats are super animals. What makes them so great?

By Katie Mach
From the October/November 2024 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will describe how Batman and bats are alike and different to practice comparing and contrasting.

Lexiles: 310L
Featured Skill: Comparing Texts,
Common Core Standards
  • RF.1.3 Decoding RI.1.1 Key details RI.1.3 Connecting information RI.1.4 Vocabulary RI.1.5 Text features RI.1.6 Distinguish between information from words and images RI.1.7 Use visuals RI.1.9 Compare texts SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative discussions with peers and adults
TEKS Standards
  • Science
    (13) Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and undergo processes that help them interact and survive within their environments. The student is expected to: (A) identify the external structures of different animals and compare how those structures help different animals live, move, and meet basic needs for survival.

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Batman

Awake at Night

Batman comes out at night. He drives his Batmobile. He also glides in the air using his cape.


Dark Cave

Batmobile

Batman has a secret room. It is called the Batcave. That is where he makes his plans. 


Here to Help

Batman protects people. He stops bad guys. Thanks, Batman!


Bats

Awake at Night

Most bats are awake at night. They are nocturnal. They fly in the night sky. They flap their wings.


Dark Caves

Some bats go into caves. That is where they sleep. They hang upside down!


Here to Help

Yum! Mosquitoes!

Bats help protect people. They eat bugs that bite us. Thanks, bats! 


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Slideshows (1)
Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
video (2)
video (2)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (3) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)

More About the Article

English Language Arts Focus

Compare and contrast

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Implementation

  • Whole group

Pairings and Text Connections

  • From the Storyworks 1 archive: “Alike and Different: Which Is More Amazing, Spiderman or Spiders?” (October/November 2022)
  • Suggested books: Bats by Gail Gibbons; Batman 5-Minute Stories by DC Comics 

Before-Reading Resources

  • Vocabulary slideshow (5 minutes) glides, protects, nocturnal 
  • Video: Skill Power: Compare and Contrast (5 minutes) This how-to video explains how and why we compare and contrast.
  • Video: Night Flyer (5 minutes) Learn more about bats with this fascinating video. 

Suggested Reading Focus

Compare and contrast (20 minutes)

 

  • Tell students that they will be reading about Batman and bats. As they read, they should think about how Batman and bats are alike and different.
  • Preview the parallel structure of the texts. What do children notice about these two pages? (They are set up similarly. Each section has a heading. All the headings are the same.) 
  • Read “Batman,” stopping at the end of each section to check comprehension. Then read “Bats,” again stopping at the end of each section to check comprehension.
  • Next, read through the texts again. This time, read the texts under the same headings back-to-back so children can focus on comparing and contrasting. Then discuss what students learned about Batman and bats from the section.
  • Compare the photos. What can children learn about Batman and bats by looking at the photos?
  • Finally, ask students to turn and talk about how Batman and bats are alike and different. Volunteers can share their answers.

 

After-Reading Skills Practice

  • Skills: Nouns and verbs; Compare/contrast (15 minutes)

Text-to-Speech