LEVEL ONE SAMPLE PAGES

A Deep and Complex Look at Geometry:

Details Rules Which details are more important than others, and how do you know they Describe a rule, law, or order related to this topic. are important? definition: many-sided closed figure made by Polygons are 2-dimensional, closed figures made from joining line segments, “regular” polygon has equal sides. line segments.

Standards Parts, Facts, Features, Processes Laws What would happen if you didn’t follow this rule. Who are the important people, places, events? Methods chilliagon - 1,000 sides : honeycomb If the shape is open, it is not a polygon. megagon - 1,000,000 sides tangram: paper cut into If the sides are curved, it is not a polygon. List the important parts, polygons List facts and opinions facts, features, and processes about the topic. of your topic. FACTS: It is easier to Draw and label all important parts. draw a triangle than it Draw a picture that would show someone how to follow this rule. is to draw an . hexagon octagon Large number of OPINIONS: sides: are more 17-gon, 18-gon interesting than .

Intentional Teaching Considerations: Details & Rules with Polygons Most elementary students might be able to draw and identify simple and , but they often can’t explain why a polygon is different from other geometric shapes. By taking a deeper look at the Details and Rules that define polygons, students will be able to identify more complex forms of polygons in the world around them. Teachers can introduce the concept of polygons through inquiry using examples and non-examples. This activity will enable students to construct their ownSAMPLE understanding of the rules that differentiate polygons from other geometric shapes.

60 Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski © J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 LEVEL ONE SAMPLE PAGES

A Deep and Complex Look at Literature: Lon Po Po

Big Idea What is the main idea of this topic? Unanswered Questions What did you learn? - Listen to your parents when they are trying to It can be easy to be fooled. protect you. If we think carefully before we act, it might prevent us - Think before you act. from getting hurt or being fooled. Conclusion Summary Why is this main idea important? Unsolved, Unexplained, a Dilemma What questions remain about this topic? Global Theme Because it will keep you safe. Why would a wolf want to hurt children? How would you be a ble to be certain it was your PoPo? Why were the mother and children living alone? Write the smaller ideas that What resources can help What happened to the father? support the bigger idea. you answer these questions? Is PoPo a common nickname for Grandmother in China? • work together to other books National Geographic solve a problem Draw the big idea. Create a drawing about this question. Wolf experts • be creative Grandmas & Grandpas teachers • be certain before you make a decision write to the author • get more information

Intentional Teaching Considerations: Big Ideas & Unanswered Questions with Literature While most elementary-aged children have heard the classic story about Red-Riding Hood, Lon Po Po provides an opportunity for the students to see the story from a different cultural perspective. Viewing both stories through Main Ideas allows students to see how the global themes remain the same despite the differences in details. The Unanswered Questions might relate to both stories, such as “Why would a wolf want to hurt children,” while another question might be specific to Lon Po Po, “Is Po Po a common nickname for Grandmother in China?” A cross-cultural study using children's literature and the icon of UnansweredSAMPLE Questions can encourage students to develop more curious minds.

62 Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski © J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 LEVEL TWO SAMPLE PAGES

A Deep and Complex Look at Geometry: Angles

Big Idea What summary statement explains this topic? Across Disciplines Connect your topic to something you have read or experienced. Understanding how to measure, judge, and use angles impacts people in I saw the importance of accurate measuring of angles during a kitchen many professions including: artists showing perspective, architects & remodel where the angle of the two adjoining walls and the floor didn’t engineers in designing & building structures, camera people showing match the piece of flooring. That mismatch could easily be hidden by images from a variety of perspectives. moulding, but that is not the case, when two pieces of granite do not have Conclusion supplementary angles. Summary Judge the importance of this big idea. Making Connections Global Theme Greek & Roman architecture, statue. This idea is important because it demonstrates why math is a foundational subject, and it also demonstrates how teacher could make learning about List synonyms (similar words) angles more interesting and applicable to the real world. My topic is mainly related to: or metaphors for the big idea. Mathematics and the vertex Literature choice, metaphor: where two rays or line • Robert Frost’s poem: “two Write the smaller ideas that support the bigger idea. segments intersect that space Show the interconnectedness of your topic. roads diverged” is measured in degrees • crossroads accute, obtuse, right The angle as providing a 3-D vanishing points camera angle for effect degree, complementary, perspective ARTS but it is also related to: choice to make. supplementary artist Symbol systems: language ‘Bound Angle pose’ in yoga Visual perspective metaphor: Language arts: Understanding & Application SCIENCE & “see things from another angle” • seeing from a new angle SPORTS of Angles in many professions “angle of attack” ANGLES symbol systems [your big idea] MATH polygons - “triangle” Q angle= 15 degrees tools degree Perspective-taking: ‘Hitting the Target’ website: sports - “360 degree turn” (learning angles through quadrcept angle of two line protractor, level angle • What’s your angle? sports) segments - pole vaulter DESIGN & 1. From tibialtubercle to athlete carpenters,architects, pole vault, CONSTRUCTION mid-patella engineers 2. from mid-patella to ASIS ice skater, skateboarder

Intentional Teaching Considerations: Big Ideas & Across Disciplines with Geometry (Angles) Classification and measurement are usually the focus of learning about angles. By looking at the Big Ideas of angles, as well as their role Across Disciplines, students will understand how being able to measure, judge, and use angles is important to people in many professions. A teacher can introduce a unit on angles by showing how angles are used acrossSAMPLE disciplines such as shown in the graphic above.

64 Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski © J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 LEVEL TWO SAMPLE PAGES

A Deep and Complex Look at Biology: The Chemistry of Life

Rules Patterns Describe a rule or law related to this topic. Describe the patterns you find. When living things metabolize, energy is made and released by breaking The pH scale is a continuum from 1-14. and making chemical bonds in chemical reactions pH1 is acidic like stomach acid. pH 14 is basic like bleach.

Standards Repeated Sequence Laws What would happen if you didn’t follow this rule. Order Predict what will come next. Methods Relationship If no chemical reactions occurred, then living organisms would not Most living cells have an inside pH around neutral which is pH 7.0 metabolize and therefore would not survive. List facts and opinions about List elements, events, ideas the topic. that are repeated over time. FACTS: pH Energy stirred up Hydroxide ions chemical bonds Create a visual that would show someone how to follow this rule. Draw a pattern or cycle from this topic. Energy released when Hydrogen ions bonds broken internal pH ATP is the energy currency for a cell Adenosine PPP+ molecule OPINIONS: Energy Used Energy released P P PP

Intentional Teaching Considerations: Rules & Patterns in The Chemistry of Life Students in high school biology often come to class with little or no experience with basics skills in chemistry. By looking at the Patterns and Rules of basic chemistry, students can construct a deep understanding of the concepts instead of relying solely on memorization and recall of facts. Students could keep their Patterns and Rules icon cards in theirSAMPLE notebooks as the topics of pH and metabolism reemerge throughout the year.

Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski 65 © J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 LEVEL TWO SAMPLE PAGES

A Deep and Complex Look at Biography: Jackie Robinson

Ethics What conflict exists? Multiple Perspectives How do experts view this topic? 1. Institutional conflicts - law, baseball • He continued breaking the color barrier in aspects of life after baseball (military, TV) 2. Personal conflicts - interpersonal & intrapersonal • Forced the public to take a position on whether desegregation was right 3. Team Conflicts - inter and intra or wrong in all aspects of life. • His success on the field showed people that skin color had nothing to Good vs. Bad do with his ability. Prejudices Write a persuasive statement about this topic. Looking at Something Differently How do you view this topic? Controversies Jackie Robinson’s life forced other people to question their The things he did in his life impacted a lot of institutions. positions on race. List the ethical issues you find. List the other viewpoints. • institutional racism 1. Public - positive for future • personal conduct generations, civil rights • exploitation of Mr. Create a drawing about this conflict. 2. Good for baseball - Draw this topic from several points of view. Robinson by Mr. Ricky improved the skill in the sport 3. Family - difficult for his Different ethical positions: family and himself • Hedonism - maximizing 4. His wife saw it as good but pleasure, minimizing difficult pain 5. Fans & Players - things were • Stoicism - self-mastery fine, nothing wrong with over one’s desires & separate but equal emotions 6. Branch Rickey - something • Self knowledge - bad that had to happen for the actions are the result of sport ignorance

Intentional Teaching Considerations: Ethics & Multiple Perspectives with Biography (Jackie Robinson) Many students confine their thinking about biographical information to details of a person’s life and accomplishments. A Deep and Complex Look at a person’s life should engage students in ways that build on those details. When a student begins to understand another person from Multiple Perspectives and from the context of the Ethics of the times, there is an intentional shift in thinking that increases the depth and complexity of their understanding.SAMPLE

66 Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski © J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 AFFINITY PROJECT - LEVEL ONE

A Deep and Complex Look at Baseball

Ethics What problem exists? Steroids, performance-enhancing drugs

Role Models - chewing, spitting

Gambling Good vs. Bad Prejudices Tell what is right and what is wrong about this topic. Controversies + It helps people feel like they are part of a community. + It’s still seen as America’s national past time. List problems faced with – Expensive for a family to attend a game. this topic. – Some team mascots are racist. - Bean ball - Pete Rose - out of the Create a drawing about this problem. Hall of Fame for betting on baseball - “Black Sox” threw game - Jackie Robinson, 1st Black to integrate baseball in 1947 - Spit ball - Disparity between small market and big market teams SAMPLE

Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski 73 © J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 A Deep and Complex Look at Baseball

Big Idea What is the main idea of this topic? Baseball is a sport in which players’ statistics are important.

Conclusion Summary Why is this main idea important? Global Theme Statistics help players and coaches make decisions. It is also a way to measure greatness. Write the smaller ideas that support the bigger idea. - 162 games is an effective way to determine a winner Draw the big idea. - Defensive strategies are based on hitting statistics - Pitching decisions are based on statistics - The amount of money you make is based on your statistics

AFFINITY PROJECT - LEVEL ONE SAMPLE

74 Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski© J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008 A Deep and Complex Look at Baseball

Multiple Perspectives Why do experts think this is an important topic? - Because it’s important to the history of a city - Because it’s a big business - Because it brings people together

Looking at something differently Why do you think this is an important topic? Because I grew up in a baseball city and saw this happen. My dad told me stories about when his dad took him to games and what it was like. Who might have another idea about this topic? Historians

Economists Draw this topic from several points of view. Sports Psychologists Horticulturists Physicists

AFFINITY PROJECT - LEVEL ONE SAMPLE

76 Deep and Complex Look Books by Paula Wilkes and Mark Szymanski© J Taylor Education, 2006, 2008