The Lesson

Before using this lesson, be aware that it involves food and that some students have restrictions dietary and/or religious that might prevent them from eating the cookies used in this lesson.

Review the concepts of comparing and contrasting. Comparing and contrasting is valuable when a writer wishes to examine/compare the similarities and differences between two things. To compare is to explain how items are alike; to contrast is to demonstrate how they are different.

If a brief reinforcement activity is necessary, you might ask students to compare an apple to a pear. Discuss how the two fruits are alike and how they are different. You might have even-numbered rows of students write a short paragraph comparing the two fruits and odd-numbered rows write a short paragraph contrasting them. The rows of students can pair up to share their paragraphs.

Explain that some things are more complicated to compare and contrast than an apple and a pear. Those things similarities and differences are not always so clear/obvious. They require a more detailed analysis -- a point-by-point comparison of different features.

At this point in the lesson, hand out to each student two Girl Scout cookies -- one Thin Mint and one Trefoil (Shortbread).

Note: I plan this lesson for the time of year when Girl Scout cookies are being sold and delivered. However, the cookies can be frozen for use at any time.

I ask students not to eat their cookies -- yet. (I also assure them that no one has to eat the cookies.)

I ask students to make a list of the details of the cookies that can be compared. They mention things such as size, shape, color, weight, smell, and taste.

Then I distribute copies (or display a transparency) of the nutritional information from the boxes’ side panels. This sets up additional comparisons. I ask students to identify some characteristics of the cookies that the nutrition information can help us compare; they mention things such as the number of cookies per serving and the per-cookie weight, calories, fat content, and so on. That information (or a cookie count) can even help us figure a cost-per-cookie price.

Give students time to study the cookies and nutrition information and to write some of the points of comparison they notice.

You might introduce a graphic organizer that students can use to help them examine the features of the cookies. This Compare-and-Contrast Graphic Organizer can be printed for use, or it can be used on a classroom computer; each student can copy it onto a disc or CD so they will have their own personal copy.

As an alternative, you might use this Spider Map Graphic Organizer.

Arrange students into groups of three. Each student in the group will choose and draft a paragraph about a different one of the three categories.

After they have drafted their paragraphs, have the students work together to draft an introduction (to set up their comparison) and conclusion (to tie together the ideas presented in their three paragraphs). The result might look something like this:

Trefoils or Thin Mints?

[Introduction] Every year people anxiously await the sale of Girl Scout cookies. Even though all Girl Scout cookies are poplar, two types that have survived the years of merchandising and have become "standards" are the Thin Mints and Trefoils (sometimes labeled as Shortbread). The popularity of those two cookies may be due to the fact that they are distinct enough to appeal to different people but similar in providing a sweet treat.

[Feature 1: Appearance] Even though these cookies look different, there are similarities in appearance. For example the two brands are almost opposite in color; the Trefoil is a light tan cookie while the Thin Mint is dark brown. On the other hand, the cookies are about the same size. Even though the shapes are somewhat different, each Trefoil weighs 6.3 g and measures 1-3/4" in diameter while the Thin Mints weigh 7 g each and measure the same. Other than being chocolate and vanilla, the two cookies are very alike in appearance.

[Feature 2: Nutrition] The two thin delicacies are not particularly nutritious and will not make the consumer thin. Both cookies contain not only fat, but some saturated fat. Trefoils contain 2 g fat per cookie, .5 g of which is saturated, while, surprisingly, the Thin Mints are slightly more healthy, containing 1.6 g of fat but only .2 g saturated fat. Calories are relatively low in both cookies -- 34 calories each -- but sugar is the number one or two ingredient and, therefore, the source of the calories. Because of the fat and sugar, both cookies are equally non-nutritious.

[Feature 3: Sensory Enjoyment] Taste is where the two cookies differ the most. They appeal to the culinary enjoyment of different types of people. The Trefoil is a plain cookie that tastes of butter and vanilla while the Thin Mint is a chocolate-lover's delight. The butter cookie has a crispy texture that softens quickly, especially when dipped in milk. Even though covered in soft chocolate, the Trefoil also has a crispy texture which is good accompanied by milk. Because of the divergent tastes and textures, the two cookies would appeal to different people.

[Conclusion] Even though these two popular cookies differ on the surface, they continue to make Girl Scout cookie time a favorite time in most communities. Analyzing these cookies demonstrates that, though things, and even people, may be different on the surface, there are always similarities when we take the time to look deeper.