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Depth and Complexity: Misconceptions About The Big Idea

I’ve been doing a lot of depth and complexity work lately, over at Gifted Guild as well as in person, and I’ve noticed a common misconception with the Big Idea prompt (even with people who think they know depth and complexity):


People confuse Big Ideas with topics.


Let me explain:




TopicBig Ideas
Earthquakes
  • “Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates”
  • “Earthquakes are the biggest threat facing San Francisco”
  • “The key to earthquake survival is preparation.”
The Giving Tree
  • “The Giving Tree’s message is to beware giving too much”

  • “The Giving Tree is the greatest childrens’ book ever written.”
The American Revolution
  • A Big Idea might be “Yorktown must the most important battle of the revolution”
  • “George Washington’s indecision actually won the American Revolution”
  • “Britain should have attempted to work with the Americans rather than fight against them.”


Note the differences? 
Big Ideas should be:


  • Complete sentences
 — not one or two-word phrases
  • Statements about the topic — not the topic itself 
* Non-trivial: “The sun is hot” is not a great Big Idea.
  • Something another person might disagree with (this helps make sure they’re non-trivial)
 
* Backed up with evidence (which can come in the form of Details)


The next time you see the Big Idea icon next to an incomplete sentence, pull the emergency break and fix things – it’s likely you’re seeing a topic rather than a true Big Idea.

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More about Depth and Complexity Icons
  1. Four Ways to Differentiate Objectives
  2. The Differentiator!
  3. Introducing Depth and Complexity
  4. Differentiate Lessons With The Content Imperatives
  5. Go Deeper! Get More Complex!
  6. A Deep, Complex Extension Menu For Character Analysis
  7. Reflecting With Depth and Complexity
  8. Content Imperatives And Conflict
  9. Depth or Complexity Alone Isn’t Deep Enough
  10. Depth and Complexity: Iconic Statements
  11. Unlock The Real Power of Content Imperatives
  12. My Thoughts on the “New” Depth and Complexity Icons
  13. Depth, Complexity, and Graphic Organizers
  14. Moving Between Depth and Complexity Prompts
  15. Graphic Organizers Aren’t The End
  16. The Least Popular Depth and Complexity Prompt
  17. When Too Much Depth Leads To Simplicity
  18. Depth and Complexity: Misconceptions About The Big Idea
  19. Ethics In Math
  20. How To Introduce Depth and Complexity
  21. Depth and Complexity: Big Idea and Details
  22. Depth and Complexity: Patterns and Rules
  23. Depth and Complexity: Ethics and Multiple Perspectives

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Please contact me with questions or comments at: ian@byrdseed.com

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