Know the Framework

Creating a Deeper Understanding of the

Icons/Prompts

Halswell Primary-Te Kura o Te Tauawa

Deb Walker
GEMS Facilitator/Mentor
The Depth and Complexity
Framework
Gifted and the Gifted Brain
• Outliers
• Neurodiverse
• Asynchronous
• Intense
FAST, CURIOUS, REASONING, CREATIVITY, MEMORY,
COMPREHENSION, SENSITIVITY, HUMOUR, SENSE of JUSTICE,
PASSIONS/INTERESTS, SENSITIVITIES, LEADERSHIP
Why should we use it?
Strategy/Provision Strategy/Provision
● Adds rigour
Choice 🗹 Like-Minds (belonging)
Challenge/Rigour 🗹🗹 Strengths (talent)
● Teaches ‘how to think’
Focus/Development not ‘what’
Complexity 🗹🗹 Curriculum adaptation 🗹
(UDL/Differentiation) ● It’s a ‘how to’ to
differentiate
Control 🗹 Explicit Teaching 🗹🗹
● Creates a common
Conceptual 🗹🗹 Social and/or Emotional language so can become
Approach Support/Development/
embedded
Learning
Independent 🗹 Readiness (credit for prior 🗹 ● Provides tools to support
Activity learning)
challenge, flex, mistake
High Expectations 🗹🗹 Mentors/Role Models making
 Where can educators use it?
● Framework: Learning guide/plan, Assessment,
pre/formative/summative
● Tool: Teaches better thinking
● Guide: Individual pathways/choices
● Teacher Planning
English, Media Studies, Social Sciences, Science, Maths, Design …
wherever and whenever thinking is required!
Overview
● A framework with multiple supports
● Supports depth and complexity in thinking
● Non-hierarchical
● Cross-curricula
● Multi-year level applicable
● Multi-ability suitable
A Deeper Look at the Icons
The D&C Icons/Prompts

Dimensions of Depth

Increasing difficulty and abstraction

Dimensions of Complexity

Activity
Introducing the Prompts
• Teach explicitly
• Don’t overwhelm
• Use a familiar theme/topic
• Graphic Organisers
• Combine prompts
When to use them?
• Explicit critical thinking tool
• A new concept, theme, topic,
• Passion projects, Inquiry projects
• Discussion, class/group
• Readiness, Formative and Summative assessment
(including metacognitive tasks)
• Differentiate in subject areas
Implement by…
• Combining icons
• Brainstorms and Mindmaps
• Using Frames
• Upgrading Questioning/Question Stems
• Assessment/Reflection Tools
• Choice Boards/Learning Guides
• Individual Pathways
Activity
Single Frame

Statistics
Double Frame
Creating Frames

Activity
Applying the Depth and
Complexity Icons in Literacy

Recommended for:
Reading Age 10-12 years
Applying the Icons in Literacy
 DC Prompts applied to Maths
Pre-assessment
Exploring a maths concept in more depth
Problem Solving
Data Analysis
Real life applications
Where to From Here?
● Finish your frame activities

● Introduce the icons to your class/es, explore, have a

play and bring back an example to share in
Workshop 2

● Next workshop 14th August

Resources
GEMS GOOGLE SITE
Questions & Closing
gemsaotearoa@gmail.com
Deb: 0274911182