Fall 2023 Summit - The Center For Depth and Complexity

Depth & Complexity in the Elementary Classroom (K-5) The Depth & Complexity Framework is the most widely-used differentiation technique in the country. Used in hundreds of thousands of classrooms, it provides teachers with concrete tools they can use to elicit high-level thinking and raise the learning bar for all students. Join an elementary practitioner and learn how Depth and complexity and the Icons are the solution to creating appropriately differentiated learning experiences and prompting students to think like professionals.

Depth & Complexity in the Secondary Classroom (6-12) Secondary teachers face several challenges when introducing and using Depth and complexity with their students. Join a secondary practitioner, speaking secondary teacher language, to explore the best strategies for introducing and using the Depth & Complexity Icons with middle and high school students. Leave this session ready to incorporate Depth and complexity right away.

Three Quick and Easy Ways to use Depth and Complexity in Mathematics (K-12) Many educators believe the objectivity of math content precludes it from being a natural match with the Depth and Complexity Framework. This workshop delves into the “how to” for integrating Depth and Complexity with the math curriculum. Explore several low-prep, classroom-proven strategies for differentiating using the Depth and Complexity Icons and evaluate student work samples highlighting various uses of the Framework in math.

Raise Your Level of Questioning (K-12) How do teachers ask rigorous questions with students? And more importantly, how can teachers strategically ask high-level follow-up questions after student responses? This workshop provides strategies to elevate teacher and student questioning. Embedding critical thinking skills and iconic prompts will elevate initial questions and help teachers guide learners in real-time by creating secondary questions.

Depth and Complexity for Leaders: Supporting Implementation (District and Campus Leaders) The Depth and Complexity Framework has become the “go-to” technique for educators to create differentiated learning opportunities for students while making the traditionally scripted curriculum more open-ended. In this session, participants will explore the components of the Framework and focus on how school and district leaders can seamlessly integrate Depth and Complexity with current initiatives to provide all students with differentiated learning experiences.

Session 2

Elementary Teacher’s Buffet: Low Prep Differentiated Activities (K-5) Time is the educator’s worst enemy. There’s just never enough of it. With new programs and initiatives being shuffled in and out of school districts on a yearly basis, teachers often feel overwhelmed with the idea of integrating Depth and Complexity into instruction.This session offers some solutions, as participants work with an elementary practitioner expert to focus on low-prep Depth and Complexity activities that instantly increase challenge and elicit high-level thinking.

Secondary Teacher’s Buffet: Low Prep Differentiated Activities (6-12) Time is the educator’s worst enemy. There’s just never enough of it. With new programs and initiatives being shuffled in and out of school districts on a yearly basis, teachers often feel overwhelmed with the idea of integrating Depth and Complexity into instruction.This session offers some solutions, as participants work with a secondary practitioner expert to focus on low-prep Depth and Complexity activities that instantly increase challenge and elicit high-level thinking.

Three Quick and Easy Ways to Use Depth and Complexity in Mathematics (K-12) Many educators believe the objectivity of math content precludes it from being a natural match with the Depth and Complexity Framework. This workshop delves into the “how to” for integrating Depth and Complexity with the math curriculum. Explore several low-prep, classroom-proven strategies for differentiating using the Depth and Complexity Icons and evaluate student work samples highlighting various uses of the Framework in math.

Lesson Planning with Ease for the Secondary Classroom (6-12) Plan fully differentiated lessons using the Depth & Complexity Framework in 10 minutes or less. Participants will practice breaking down lesson planning into five essential pieces for teachers who want to design on the fly. Attendees will integrate their own content and walk away with lessons infused with the Framework’s components, ensuring all students are appropriately challenged.

Depth and Complexity IS the Thinking Curriculum (K-12) Participants in this session will join the Depth and Complexity construction team at its foundational level, laying the groundwork for a paradigm shift in how the Framework should and can be used. Imagine an education world where Depth and Complexity is the pedagogical centerpiece and other programs and initiatives support differentiated learning environments. Imagine no longer! Delve into several techniques to use the Depth and Complexity Framework as your curricular umbrella, using it on a daily basis. Say goodbye to scriptedness, pacing and the one-size-fits-all approach. The era of differentiation, critical thinking and exciting student-created learning pathways has officially arrived.

Strategies for Using Depth and Complexity Resources Effectively (K-12) Depth and Complexity resources are too often underutilized within the instructional setting. Educators receive products at workshops, but there is rarely enough, if any time spent showing them techniques to successfully use the resources. Join a Depth and Complexity expert and discover proven ways to use some of The Center for Depth and Complexity’s most popular hard copy and digital resources.

Session 3

Lesson Planning with Ease for the Elementary Classroom (K-5) Plan fully differentiated lessons using the Depth & Complexity Framework in 10 minutes or less. Participants will practice breaking down lesson planning into five essential pieces for teachers who want to design on the fly. Attendees will integrate their own content and walk away with lessons infused with the Framework’s components, ensuring all students are appropriately challenged.

Secondary Teacher’s Buffet: Low Prep Differentiated Activities (6-12) Time is the educator’s worst enemy. There’s just never enough of it. With new programs and initiatives being shuffled in and out of school districts on a yearly basis, teachers often feel overwhelmed with the idea of integrating Depth and Complexity into instruction. This session offers some solutions, as participants work with a secondary practitioner expert to focus on low-prep Depth and Complexity activities that instantly increase challenge and elicit high-level thinking.

Depth and Complexity Math Graphic Organizers to Differentiate Learning (K-12) Learn several strategies for leveraging Depth and Complexity Graphic Organizers to create renewed excitement and understanding in Mathematics. Participants will put on their student and teacher lenses, inputting math content and components of Depth and Complexity into organizers to offer unique differentiated learning experiences for students at many different math comprehension levels.

Integrating Interdisciplinary Learning with the Depth and Complexity Framework (K-12) A sophisticated way to engage and empower deep, abstract learning is to employ a universal theme or concept and its associated generalizations to apply to whatever is being studied. Whether used as an overarching idea for a unit, semester or entire year, this valuable practice invites students and teachers to generalize, prove with evidence, see relationships, and re-examine knowledge. It provides the “net” that captures and connects what students learn in math, science, literature, social studies, and the arts.