Depth & Complexity
Thinking tools and strategies for ALL students.
Tammy Falcone
Valerie Grenawalt
Katya Grandt
Laura McKone
Rigor & Differentiation
through
Agenda
The Depth and Complexity critical thinking tools were developed by Professor Sandra Kaplan following extensive research into what types of knowledge distinguished experts in a field of study from those with only a surface level of knowledge.
What does an EXPERT know that a novice doesn’t?
D/C is Not A Curriculum or a program you must use with fidelity
It is simply, a set of tools
“Thinking Apps”
DEPTH PROMPTS promote a deeper understanding of the content being taught.
COMPLEXITY PROMPTS promote scholarly insights into the connections across time, people and disciplines.
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Prompt ?
Like for writing ?
No, more like a prompt to think about something through a certain lens
Is an icon the prompt ?
In a way, but each icon represents specific thinking skills
ICONS = PROMPTS
Clues, facts, features
Categorize, sequence, describe
Cycles, recurring elements
Identify relationships, prioritize
Controversies, professional rules or standards
Determine bias, test assumptions
terminology , jargon
Identify, list, define, judge criteria
Eleven icons = total EXPERT subject thinking.
For example, a chemist would need to understand the language of chemistry, the different perspectives on chemistry, the rules that govern chemistry, the ethical decisions chemists face
Likewise, a professional football player would be an expert in the language of football the patterns of football the rules to follow, and the way the game has changed over time.
Ok...So let’s try It ! With Popcorn
Can even something as simple as popcorn can be extended into an in-depth topic?
While Popcorn may be plain…
Powtoon - quick fun movie of the cycle
Define
Relate to Your Life
Integrate w/News
Apply to Topic
What are some synonyms for the ideas in this prompt? What words or definition can you give to clarify the ideas in this prompt?
Identify and explain an example or examples of how the prompt can be seen in a specific area of your life.
Identify and explain an example or examples of how the prompt can be seen currently in the news.
What are some things in the class discussion topic that fall under the definition of this prompt?
Relate to icon if helpful
How should I structure it?
Capitalism, communism, utopia & Real Life
(Optional)
Excerpts from
Two Depth & Complexity Prompts
Thesis statement
How has this text made you smarter about living in this world?
Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” illustrates the ethical controversies and paradoxes associated with the idea of equality.
SAMPLE THESIS STATEMENTS, ADV 8TH LA
Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” uses a main idea and many details to imply individuality can never be extinguished. - Caleb
Richard Connell’s “Most Dangerous Game” uses a character’s needs changing over time and the convergence of experiences to bring to light man’s need for competition. - Calvin
Nancy Farmer’s House of the Scorpion shows how the rules of the class system have negatively affected different societies over time. - Ben
“The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg” by Mark Twain illustrates the unsolvable nature of human greed that is paralleled within modern society.
- Lane
Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” illustrates the ethical pattern of people exploiting others for their own gain that is common over time. - Ceci
“The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury demonstrates how human greed contributes to feelings of uselessness over time.
- Genna
COMBO
TEACHER
STRUCTURED
&
STUDENT LED
AP US Gov’t & Politics
Article
Ten groups of 3-4 students
One prompt per group - annotate text for key components of prompt
Group Presentations
Meet as a group, choose one Q3 task card that relates to your topic and address that also.
Differentiate by which cards you give to certain groups, or by layering on the complexity prompts for groups who need more challenge.
Teacher
STRUCTURED -
USING DoK
Warning
Combine and layer prompts for more challenge.
CDE pairs with DoK �Works w/Blooms
Link to article on Byrdseed
Burn This! Why the DoK Wheel does NOT Address Depth of Knowledge
“Depth of knowledge deals with the setting, scenario, or situation in which thinking is demonstrated. It addresses context rather than cognition -- in other words, it's not what the student is expected to do or demonstrate but rather the scenario or the situation in which students express and share their learning.” - Erik Francis
DOK 1
DESCRIBE three details/characteristics of metamorphic rocks.
D/C Prompts with DOK Levels
DOK 2 DESCRIBE ANALYZE the parallels that exist between the details/characteristics of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
DOK 3 DESCRIBE
CREATE a detailed model that you might use to represent the rock cycle.
Level 1
What ethical issues are raised in the Kermode bear nonfiction articles and video?
Level 2
How can you categorize the ethical issues to better understand the multiple perspectives involved in the Kermode bear controversy? (eg pro/con)
Level 3
Write a theme statement that addresses an ethical issue Touching Spirit Bear. Explain how details from the setting, plot, or character development support your view.
Level 4
Create a solution to/make a recommendation for one of the ethical issues you identified. Prioritize either the Tlingit Indian perspective or the oil company’s perspective.
Depth & Complexity tasks by DoK Level
Touching spirit bear novel & Kermode Bear nonfiction pairing
Layering Thinking for More Challenge
Tomlinson, 2014
Differentiation 101
Reasons to Differentiate
Ways to Differentiate
Philosophy
Structure
Harry Passow’s test for a differentiated curriculum
We can ask ourselves these three questions:
1) WOULD all kids want to do it?
2) COULD all kids do it?
3) SHOULD all kids do it?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then it isn’t differentiated.
Something that “squares” (agrees) with your thinking
Something that was interesting/stood out in the information
Something that is still circling around in your mind
Shopping
Take any materials you want in other room.
ADVANCED D/C
CONTENT IMPERATIVES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Grenawalt Central - Helpful stuff I put online for you
JAY TAYLOR EDUCATION - original publisher of D & C materials, including free digital downloads of all icons.
Ajjuliani.com - tremendous bunch of resources for genius hour and other differentiation. Sign up for toolbox.
Byrdseed - Great GT site, including in-depth info on D & C and the DIFFERENTIATOR.
CHECK OUT THE TASK CARDS
frames