Gifted & Talented News - Elementary
Spring 2017
Resources to Incorporate Depth and Complexity in the Classroom
One way to increase the rigor of instruction for students is to utilize tools of depth and complexity. Sandra Kaplan, a professor at the University of Southern California, developed this teaching model utilizing a series of icons to trigger critical thinking. An overview of this teaching approach can be found on the CCS Gifted and Talented webpage.
"To teach depth and complexity is to invite students to venture further and engage more deeply with the material and subject and to identify and explore several aspects of the ideas or problem at hand. It is encouraging the students to make connections between and across time, curriculum, and disciplines and explore the perspectives, biases, and scope of the relevant issues."-CMS
Examples of how to incorporate depth and complexity into your classroom lessons can be found at Depth and Complexity Example Lessons. Several links to example lessons with Depth and Complexity are given as well as visuals for activities that students can complete to demonstrate their understanding of the topic at a deeper level.
Another great link is Depth and Complexity Frames. This document has several Depth and Complexity Frames, which are tools designed to strengthen critical thinking skills, make something abstract more concrete, allow students to "jump" into the content and make sense of it, and build in inquiry and academic language. The frames can be easily used in any subject area and adapted to whatever text you are working reading in class.
Reach out to your building's Gifted Resource Specialist for additional information and resources for teaching depth and complexity.
Inquiring Minds
Summer !!! Now What ????
Are your parents asking about summer activities to keep their students engaged? There are many great choices to keep young scholars physically busy and growing academically. This link to The National Association for Gifted Children website offers wonderful insight into summer opportunities.
http://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents/planning-summer
For information on local summer camps for elementary students see this link:
http://www.ccsoh.us/Downloads/Elementary%202017%20Summer%20Opportunities.pdf
End of the Year Brain Teasers... Keep those Minds Engaged
Columbus City Schools Gifted & Talented Department
Website: www.ccsoh.us/GiftedandTalented1.aspx
Location: 1990 Jefferson Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
Phone: (614) 365-6626
Twitter: @CCS_Gifted