What Does "Multiple Sources" Mean?
When we read about a topic from multiple sources, we get different perspectives and more complete information. Fifth graders need to learn how to compare what sources say (find similarities), contrast them (find differences), and synthesize the information (combine it to build better understanding).
On Florida's FAST assessment, students may be asked to read two passages about the same topic and explain how they work together or differ.
Key Vocabulary
Source: Any place you get information - a book, article, website, video, etc.
Compare: Finding what's the SAME between sources
Contrast: Finding what's DIFFERENT between sources
Synthesize: Combining information from multiple sources to understand the whole picture
Activities to Try at Home
📰 News Story Comparison
Find two articles about the same current event (sports game, weather event, community news) from different sources:
- What facts appear in BOTH articles?
- What details are UNIQUE to each article?
- Do the articles have different focuses or perspectives?
- Put them together: What's the complete picture?
🎬 Movie + Book Comparison
If your child has read a book and seen its movie adaptation:
- What's the same in both versions?
- What did the movie add or leave out?
- Which version helps you understand characters better?
- How do the two "sources" together give you more?
🔍 Research Together
Pick a topic your child is curious about (animals, space, history, sports stars) and find two different sources:
- Try an encyclopedia article AND a personal blog/interview
- Create a Venn diagram: "Source 1 Only | Both | Source 2 Only"
- Discuss: Why might different sources focus on different things?
- Write a short summary using information from BOTH
👨👩👧👦 Family Story Comparison
Ask two family members to tell the same family story (a vacation, holiday, or event):
- What details do both people include?
- What does each person remember that the other doesn't?
- Why might they remember different parts?
- Put their stories together: What's the full picture?
This shows how different perspectives add to our understanding!
Questions to Ask When Reading Multiple Sources
- "What does each source tell us?"
- "What information appears in both sources?"
- "What can you only learn from Source 1? From Source 2?"
- "Do the sources agree or disagree about anything?"
- "What do you understand now that you wouldn't from just one source?"
- "Which source would be better if you needed [facts/personal experience/current info]?"
Parent Tip: Model Critical Thinking!
When you hear news or information, think aloud: "I wonder if other sources say the same thing" or "That's interesting - I should check another source to learn more." This models the habit of not relying on just one source. You can also discuss why some sources might be more reliable than others for different purposes.
Types of Sources to Compare
Factual Sources
- Encyclopedia articles
- Textbooks
- News reports
- Data and charts
Personal Sources
- Diaries and journals
- Interviews
- Personal blogs
- Memoirs
Key idea: Factual sources give us data and facts. Personal sources give us experiences and emotions. Together, they create a complete picture!
Example Synthesis Sentences Your Child Can Use
- "Both sources agree that..."
- "Source A says..., while Source B adds..."
- "I learned from Source A that... and from Source B that..."
- "Together, the sources show that..."
- "Source A focuses on facts, but Source B helps me understand how it felt to be there."
Informacion para Padres (Spanish Summary)
Que significa "multiples fuentes"? Cuando leemos sobre un tema de diferentes fuentes, obtenemos diferentes perspectivas e informacion mas completa.
Vocabulario importante:
- Fuente: Cualquier lugar donde obtienes informacion
- Comparar: Encontrar lo que es IGUAL entre fuentes
- Contrastar: Encontrar lo que es DIFERENTE entre fuentes
- Sintetizar: Combinar informacion para entender el tema completo
Preguntas para hacer:
- "Que informacion aparece en ambas fuentes?"
- "Que puedes aprender solo de esta fuente?"
- "Que entiendes ahora que no entenderias con solo una fuente?"