Differentiating the Primary Curriculum: An Application of Depth & Complexity Meg Kelly, Meadow Park Elementary (cell)

Objectives: Introduce the academic language thinking tools of Depth & Complexity and Content Imperatives Provide examples of how to incorporate D&C tools into primary classrooms

Children will be scholars Scholarly traits – Ponder/reflect – Practice – Ask thoughtful questions – Set learning goals – Stick to a task – Take risks – Yearn for knowing/build curiosity – Justify ideas – Are prepared to learn and take pride in their work Using Depth & Complexity tools can help you build scholarly traits and language

How Depth and Complexity Icons Evolved To provide gifted students with opportunities for higher level thinking and learning – Sandra Kaplan, USC Most commonly used in GATE, upper grade, middle and high school classrooms

Depth and Complexity Thinking Tools Words, icons or prompts that activate higher levels of understanding Strengthen critical thinking skills Make something abstract more concrete Allow students to “jump” into the content and make sense of it Build expertise and inquiry Just good teaching strategies - much of it you do already The icons assure that you use these strategies consistently and use them all of the time They provide a common vocabulary and build academic language

Depth and Complexity Depth - 8 Studying many single aspects of a single subject Going deeper into a subject Becoming an expert in a subject Complexity - 3 Making connections across several topics or academic subjects Seeing relationships between seemingly unconnected ideas or concepts

Depth & Complexity Icons

Content Imperatives Contribution The affect or impact one person or event has on others. Origin The beginning, root, foundation, source, or basis for something. Parallel How something is similar, matching, comparable, or analogous. Paradox Things that are opposite, contradictory, ironic or illogical. Convergence How ideas or events meet, intersect, concur, merge, join or unite.

Incorporating Depth & Complexity Into Your Curriculum Does not require creating new material – Can integrate the icons into curriculum that already exists Appropriate for all students, not just Challenge groups – Visual tools can be applied to any situation – Visual tools beneficial for English Learners Introduce icons as a whole and then in context

Sample Introduction Introduce icons as intellectual tools – have magnets visible – Briefly explain each icon and do short “activity” for a few Detail – draw flower Patterns – students arrange themselves boy/girl Rules – thumbs up “game” Ethics - $20 on playground, “what would you do?” Read The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs or other story – Ask students to apply as many icons as they can Reinforce with icon match game Reintroduce icons as you use them in lessons – If posted, “star” those that you’re working on

Frames Used with each story selection and novel Incorporate understanding of strategy and skill in student’s own words Allows use of 3-5 icons to extend thinking Use stamps to customize frame

Other Graphic Organizers/Activities Graphic Organizers – Main Idea, Details, Multiple Perspectives, Patterns – Character Frame – Story Elements – Extension Menus – Genres – Stamp a graphic organizer you already use Small Group/Independent Activities – The Icon Game – Icon cards – Challenge students to apply as many icons as they can to story selection

Everyday Thinking Reinforce/weave D&C icons into all areas of curriculum – Magnets on board help with this Reward students for applying icons on their own Parent Letter

In My Classroom… Students show increased enthusiasm and motivation Students are inspired by added depth to curriculum Students rise to higher expectations Students apply learning to other subjects English Learners make connections to visuals

Resources JTaylor Education (jtayloreducation.com) – Empower Primary and Inspire Change: A Practical Approach to Differentiating the Primary Curriculum, by Cynthia Kirk and Katherine Squires – Deep and Complex Look Books – Differentiation Smart Reference Guide – Magnets – Stamps – Posters – Game cards – Name plates