Depth and Complexity Critical Thinking Mats {For all subjects!}
5.0 (394 reviews)These “Thinking Mats” present open-ended and engaging opportunities related to 11 “Thinking Tools” ( Big Ideas, Rules, Trends, Patterns, Language of the Discipline, Ethics, Relationships Over Time, Details, Unanswered Questions, Across Disciplines, and Multiple Perspectives) of critical thinking.…
- Grade
- Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
- Pages
- 21
- Answer key
- N/A
- Teaching duration
- Yearlong Resource
- Digital download
Description
These “Thinking Mats” present open-ended and engaging opportunities related to 11 “Thinking Tools” ( Big Ideas, Rules, Trends, Patterns, Language of the Discipline, Ethics, Relationships Over Time, Details, Unanswered Questions, Across Disciplines, and Multiple Perspectives) of critical thinking. They can be utilized with practically any subject and/or topic in a variety of learning settings (small group, pairs, whole group, independent, etc.). There are 11 double-sided “Thinking Mats”; one for each of the “Thinking Tools”.
Front side of card: students will use “post-its” to make connections to a particular topic and the icon of the card.
Backside of card: provides a reference for the particular icon and examples of how it applies to language arts, science, social studies, and math.
Included in this resource:
•11 color “Thinking Mats”, one for each of the eleven “Thinking Tools”.
•11 black-and-white “Thinking Mats”, one for each of the eleven “Thinking Tools”.
•11 back-side references, one for each “Thinking Tool” (these should be copied on the reverse side of the corresponding “Thinking Mat”)
•Tips and suggestions on how to use these “Thinking Mats” in your class.
Two versions–with and without icons–are now included!!
Instructional Applications:
1. Whole Group Lessons
3. Partner Work
4. Jigsaws
5. Expert Groups
6. Independent Work
➡FREE Depth and Complexity Posters
$AVE: Get this and several other resources in my Critical Thinking MEGA BUNDLE!!!
★CLICK HERE for Critical Thinking Task Cards for Literature, History, and Science★
★CLICK HERE for Teaching Critical Thinking Using Fairytales★
★CLICK HERE for Critical Thinking Literature Circles★
This resource was created based on the Depth and Complexity framework, which was created by Dr. Sandra Kaplan under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Research and Improvement: 1996
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Please read: This is a nonrefundable digital download. Please read the description carefully and examine the preview file before purchasing.
© Copyright 2018 M. Tallman. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy pages specifically designed for student or teacher use by the original purchaser or licensee. This is intended to be used by one teacher unless additional licenses have been purchased. The reproduction of any other part of this product is strictly prohibited. Copying any part of this product and placing it on the Internet in any form (even a personal/classroom website) is strictly forbidden. Doing so makes it possible for an Internet search to make the document available on the Internet, free of charge, and is a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Reviews
Showing 26–30 of 374 reviews
Clever Visual Approach, But Not My Favorite
The sketch-note style brings a creative visual twist to prefixes and suffixes, which I can appreciate in theory. However, the doodle-heavy format isn’t quite my cup of tea. The content seems well-designed and could work well for visual learners, but personally, it didn't click with me.
Creative Concept, Just Not My Jam
The visual layout and doodle-style sketch notes are undeniably creative and well-executed, but the heavily visual format still didn’t resonate with my preferences. I appreciate the effort behind it and can see how it might engage visual learners, yet, personally, it didn’t click for me.
Creative Concept, But Not Quite for Me
The sketch notes are a creative approach and seem to work well for visual learners, but the doodle-heavy format just isn’t my style. The content is solid, and I can see the appeal for some classrooms, but overall it didn’t really win me over.
Would recommend for 6th grade
I purchased this as 5th grade homework/morning work, however even the first few weeks cover things like exponents, multiplying and dividing decimals, etc. that we will not get to until later in the year. I think it would work well for 6th grade as it reviews 5th material.
<p>Hello, Andrea! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. </p><p>This resource is not designed around a particular scope and sequence since many teachers follow different timelines.</p><p>Since Daily Spiral Reviews cover all standards, students are exposed to concepts they may not have had formal instruction on. Unfamiliar content presents a great opportunity for you to build background knowledge and assess where your students are before you even teach a specific lesson.</p><p>The best way to use this spiral review is to begin with whole-group lessons where you model and discuss each activity. I don't worry too much if there haven't been formal lessons on a particular concept; I treat those items more as a preview. After a few weeks, the students really start grasping the format, and you can begin to transfer the workload to them. Eventually, when the students work independently on the review, you will spend time correcting and discussing their work in class. </p><p>As mentioned above, students will encounter concepts they are unfamiliar with. This is a GOOD thing, I promise! We don't always have the answers or know the procedures to solve problems. It's healthy to expose students to "unknowns"; they become less sensitive to the uncomfortable feeling of "not knowing" and are less likely to panic.</p><p>However, you can always use the editable version (open in PowerPoint) to remove/change any review items you like. Thanks for reaching out! </p>
Nonfiction Problem and Solution Resource for Advanced or Upper Elementary Students
I tried using this nonfiction problem and solution resource with my third graders. It has great materials, but it’s definitely better suited for more advanced students or upper elementary. With some modifications, it could work well for younger learners too.
Questions & Answers (7)
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Could these be used for a book club if I don't want to do traditional lit circle format with roles?
Hello, Melissa!
Absolutely! It is a bit more open-ended, so if you have students who need more explicit guidance, it might not be the best fit. However, your students might really respond well to the less structured format.
How am I able to print these? I have downloaded and ran through every option of making sure my computer and printer are synced and working, no luck.
Some PDFs with a lot of graphics may look fine on your screen, but may not print out correctly.
Open the PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Reader
Click “Print”
Click on “Advanced”
Check the “Print as Image” box
Print the document
If you are still having issues, please contact TpT so they can troubleshoot this with you directly. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Contact
Hi,
I have a mixed group of 6th to 8th grades. I am asking because I see that the range is from 4th to 10th which is very wide. How do I adjust it to a certain age group?
Thanks.
Eran
You’ll be able to differentiate by using different leveled texts with the materials.
Are these available as Google Docs or Slides?
No they are not.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that the Rules back sheet (p 36) is out of order. I figured that out /after/ I printed 4 sets of these mats! The Rules page comes last in the front section, so it should be moved to page 39 in order to print back-to-back correctly.
Ugh!! So sorry!!!! Will fix today.
Hi I have purchased the resources below but I can't seem to printout the D&C thinking mats and the D&C bookmarks for some reason. I can printout the other two. Please help me - they are such wonderful and useful resources.
Thanks
Natasha Pritchard
-Depth and Complexity Thinking Mats
-Depth and Complexity Bookmarks
-Literature Circle
-Strategy Cards that work
That is so strange. Are you able to open them and view them on your computer okay? What is happening when you try to print them? Do you have the latest version of Adobe? Double check by clicking here: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader.html
Also what type of computer do you have? If you
have a Mac and are using preview, that might be the problem. You'll want to make sure to open in Adobe.
Have your tried printing from another computer and/or printer?
I'm sorry you're having difficulties. We'll get it figured out!
Do you have a blog? I'd love to see these in action in a classroom. They look incredible - and I want to be sure I have a good understanding of them. :)
Thank you for your interest. At this time, I do not have a blog. It's just not something I have the time to manage right now. There are some really great resources online regarding Depth and Complexity. I LOVE byrdseed.com! It's a great site with a lot of information for differentiation. Once you become familiar with the various attributes of each icon, using them in your class becomes pretty natural. This item does include a couple of examples as well as ways to apply the Thinking Mats in your class room.
