1. Depth and Complexity Prompts
Trisha Field
Sharon Campbell

2. Depth and Complexity Prompts
Thinking Tools
Essential elements
Master a subject

3. Example: Chemists Language of a Chemist Rules that govern chemistry
Different points of view in chemistry
When students think using these tools, they learn to approach subjects from the point of view of an expert. In doing so, they will understand concepts in a deeper and more complex way.
The best part is, these tools are accessible to young students which means you will have no problem picking them up!
Example:
Master of Chess
language of chess
patterns of chess games
rules to follow
game has changed over time
Etc.
Ethical decisions chemists face

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. 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?

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

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

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

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

16. 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.”

17. 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?
During the training, the teachers were introduced to using depth and complexity frames in their classrooms. This is probably the most common way teachers are integrating the prompts into their instruction. On the following page, there are some additional ways teachers may be using the prompts.
How does this article relate to
what you are learning in science?

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

19. Depth and Complexity
Handout
Thank You

21. New Depth and Complexity Prompts