The manageable size of the Flight text set suggests the development of a matrix which can then be used for comparison and contrast discussions and writing activities.

• Brainstorm headings for categories such as feats or firsts, background/training, personality traits, motivation, obstacles overcome and dates.
• Each student can choose to read a book at his/her level and then contribute information to the matrix.
• After completing the information on the matrix, students can brainstorm a list of comparisons that they could write about: men aviators vs. women, Lindbergh and Earhart on trans-Atlantic flights, the Wright Brothers and Bleriot as inventors, and so forth.
• Since summarizing and generalizing are desirable and sometimes difficult skills to teach, students can use the information from several sources to summarize information about one person or a group. Or they can use the chart to find something that people have in common to make a general statement.

Flight Matrix