Depth and Complexity Prompts Trisha Field Sharon Campbell

Depth and Complexity Prompts • 11 Prompts • Thinking Tools • Essential elements • Master a subject

Example: Chemists Language of a Chemist Rules that govern chemistry Different points of view in chemistry Ethical decisions chemists face

Prompts Depth § § § § Language of Discipline Details Patterns Unanswered Questions Rules Trends Ethics Big Ideas Complexity

Language of Discipline -Vocabulary particular to a field of study SUMMER: Vacation Blistering Humid

Details -Defining features or characteristics SUMMER: Hot Weather June, July, August Sunscreen

Patterns -Elements that reoccur -Sequence or order of events SUMMER: No school Go out of town Visit family members

Unanswered Questions -Information that is missing, unclear, or still unknown SUMMER: Will we go on a summer vacation? Will I get to clean out the garage?

Rules -Governing principles, structure, order, guidelines SUMMER: Students stay up late Students sleep in Go to summer camp

Trends -A tendency during a particular duration of time SUMMER: 2014: geometric prints full skirts 2015: white lace dress khaki nautical theme

Ethics -Ethical principles and possible debates -Values, morals, pros/cons, shades of grey SUMMER: Do we have to take the kids with us on vacation? Can we really afford this trip?

Big Ideas -Theories, main idea, generalizations, draw conclusions based on evidence SUMMER: Relaxing Time with family Find activities for kids

Prompts Depth § § § § Language of Discipline Details Patterns Unanswered Questions Rules Trends Ethics Big Ideas Complexity § Across Disciplines § Change Over Time § Perspectives

Across the Disciplines -Relationships between fields of study -Within disciplines, between disciplines, across disciplines SUMMER: science (weather) geography (travel)

Changes Over Time -Change that happens across or during various time periods SUMMER: Students start excited (June) to boredom (August) New York (2015) & Hawaii (2016)

Perspectives -Viewpoints, opinions relative to culture and background SUMMER: Students: “Yay! No school. ” Parents: “I need to find daycare. ” Others: “I haven’t had a summer vacation since college. ”

Depth and Complexity Frame What are the 3 most important details from the article? What is the Big Idea of this article? Title of Article: After reading the article, what questions do you have? How does this article relate to what you are learning in science?

Activity: Using a Depth & Complexity Frame, respond to 4 prompts using theme “Children” Language of the Discipline Perspectives Changes over time Birthday Party Examples: Ethics

Depth and Complexity Handout Thank You

New Depth and Complexity Prompts