Extending Universal Themes & Generalizations Marcie Griffith mgriffith@gggusd.us OCC GATE Tapping Into the Gifted Mind October 2017
GATE Standards Acceleration Depth Complexity Novelty Acceleration of thinking and knowing involves differentiating the core curriculum to provide challenge and opportunities above and beyond the core content. Depth refers to approaching or studying the core curriculum in various thinking patterns (complex to simple, parts to whole, abstract to complex) in order to pursue the topic in greater detail with a greater degree of understanding. Complexity involves moving beyond a surface level understanding, from an analysis of what is intended to what is inferential. Differentiation using complexity involves extending the content to the study of issues, topics, and themes. Novelty provides inquiry and exploration into the core curriculum that provides students with opportunities to create new, original, and/or reorganized knowledge structures. Thinking Like a Disciplinarian Universal Concepts Big Ideas Language of the discipline Details Patterns Rules Trends Ethics Unanswered questions Process Impact Motive Proof Multiple perspectives Over time Interdisciplinary connections Context Translate Original Judgment Critical thinking Creative thinking Problem solving Independent Study
Universal Theme An organizing idea/concept A conceptual lens that allows one to look at a topic from a different perspective Transcends time & place Brings focus to learning across subject areas Provides scaffold for organizing information Allows students to delve more deeply into a topic Demands critical and creative thinking Advances understanding of core curriculum Prompts discussion Generalizations Overarching statement built on a universal theme Can be proven true most of the time High cognitive demand Like universal themes, they transcend time and place and can be applied across disciplines
UNIVERSAL THEMES AND GENERALIZATIONS THEMES 1. Change 2. Conflict 3. Exploration 4. Force or Influence 5. Patterns 6. Order vs Chaos 7. Power 8. Structure 9. Relationships 10. Systems 11. Adaptation THEMES AND GENERALIZATIONS Generalizations are statements that are generally true or applicable to multiple situations. They transcend time, place, and culture. Generalizations facilitate inquiry by acting as a stimulus for students to gather evidence with which to prove the statement. 1. Change Change generates additional change Change can be either positive or negative Change is inevitable Change is necessary for growth Change can be evolutionary or revolutionary 2. Conflict Conflict is composed of opposing forces Conflict creates change. Conflict may be natural or humanmade Conflict can be helpful or harmful. Conflict may be intentional or unintentional Conflict may allow for synthesis and change 3. Exploration Exploration requires recognizing purpose and responding to it Exploration confronts "the unknown" Exploration may result in "new findings" or the confirmation of "old findings" 4. Force Force attracts, hold or repels Force influences or changes Force and inertia are co-dependent Force may be countered with equal or greater force 5. Patterns Patterns have segments that are repeated Patterns allow for prediction Patters can be ordered internally or externally Patterns are enablers 6. Order vs Chaos Order may be natural or constructed Order has a purpose Order may allow for prediction Order is a form of communication Order may have repeated patterns Order and chaos are reciprocals Order leads to chaos and chaos leads to order
7. Power Power is the ability to influence Power may be used or abused Power is always present in some form Power may take many forms (chemical, electrical, political, mechanical) Power may be natural or constructed 8. Structure Structure have parts that interrelate Parts of structures support and are supported by other parts Smaller structures may be combined to form larger structures A structure is no stronger than its weakest component parts 9. Relationships Everything is related in some way All relationships are purposeful Relationships change over time Relationships lead to new relationships 10. Systems Systems have parts that work to complete a task Systems are composed of subsystems Part of systems are interdependent upon one another and form symbiotic relationships A system may be influenced by other systems Systems interact Systems follow rules 11. Adaptation Adaptation occurs over time Adaptation can be planned or spontaneous Adaptation can be positive or negative Adaptation is necessary for growth Adaptation is necessary for survival Adaptation leads to change A Few Basic Generalizations: are reciprocal and interdependent. is inevitable. can be natural or artificial. There are within. can be positive or negative. have/has structure and functions. can be chosen or imposed. Adapted from S. Kaplan
Generalizations Relationships Order Patterns Structure Adaptation Change Systems Conflict Power leads to progress can be influenced by time and place Conflict leads to progress Power leads to progress Change leads to progress Relationships lead to progress changes over time is everywhere leads to harmony follows an order or arrangement is natural or imposed produces growth is necessary for survival can be positive or negative There is within is always present in some form is inevitable may be intentional or unintentional can be helpful or harmful Other Generalizations:
Change Conflict Exploration Force Order or Chaos Power Structure Systems Relationships Universal Theme may impact undergo create lead contribute perpetuate result be necessary to for in from Universal Theme GGUSD: Griffith 2013
Universal Theme Planner Theme: Generalization(s): ELA Math Social Studies Science Other Art, Music, etc.