Micro & Macro Concepts

Concepts come at different levels of generality, abstractness and complexity. Macro-concepts are sometimes referred to as “integrating concepts” because they integrate thinking across different disciplines and are broad. Micro-concepts are discipline-specific and are critical for providing increasing depth and rigour to curriculum and instruction.

Examples of Subject Area Concepts ScienceSocial Studies Concepts in Text Writer’s CraftReader’s Craft Order Organism Population System Change Evolution Cycle Interaction Energy/Matter Equilibrium Habitat Conflict/Cooperation Patterns Scarcity System Change/Continuity Culture Supply/Demand Civilization Migration/Immigration Interdependence Prejudice Perspective Conflict Cooperation Power Relationships Envy Emotions Oppression Influence Organization Word Choice Context Conventions Fluency Voice Presentation Symbolism Allegory Metaphor Protagonist Antagonist Inference Context Clues Meaning Paraphrase Summary Text Structure Reading Rate Directionality Self – regulation Imagery Genre Background Knowledge Which are “macro-concepts?” Which are “micro-concepts?”

Mathematics Concepts Grade 3Grade 6Algebra 1 Whole Numbers Place Value Number Representations Patterns Number Grids Money Symbols Decimal Point Related Addition/Subtraction Facts Fact Families Mathematical Models Standard Units Non-Standard Units Estimation Converting Units Units of Measure Rational Numbers Positive Integers Common Factors Common Multiples Proper Factor Factor Pair Square Numbers Prime Composite Expressions Independent/Dependent Quantities Functional Relationships Domain/Range Patterns and Sequences Linear Functions Variables and Symbols Algebraic Expressions Order of Operations Distributive Property Coordinate Plane Graphs Linear Parent Functions Scatter Plots

Physical Education Concepts Examples Space Movement Angle Action/Reaction Energy Flexibility Endurance Speed Strength Patterns Cooperation Agility Motion Force/Power Behaviors Development Weight Transfer

World Language Concepts Examples Culture Language and Language families Verbal and non- verbal communication Pictographs, gestures, symbols, sounds Values, traditions, beliefs Social etiquettes Family structures Geography; region... Any concepts related to the study of cultural elements in the target language: - Family - Religion - Art, music, literature - Architecture - Government - Recreation... Family Structures

DRAMA Macro-Concepts Character | Movement | Voice | Theme | Design

CharacterMovement Physical Personality Background Relationship Conflict Motivation Change/Growth Obstacle Wants/Needs Habits Feeling/Emotion Type/Role Purpose Body Position Action/Reaction Purpose Order Influence Angle Line Balance Timing Space Logic Physical Expression Direction DRAMA Micro-Concepts

Drama: Micro-Concepts Continued VoiceThemeDesign Tone Pitch Size Quality Dialect Patterns Expression Articulation Pronunciation Beat/Pause Breathing Diction Emphasis Culture Conflict Time Perspective Beliefs/Values Choices Influence Diversity Identity Power Destruction Innocence Isolation Style Meaning Mood Structure Function Expression Feeling Symbol Realism Selective Realism Setting Costume Lighting

Social Studies Concepts General Macro-concepts: Interdependence/Dependence/Independence Systems Change and Continuity Order Conflict and Cooperation

Social Studies Concepts Geography Concepts Macro-concepts: Place Space Region Location Human/environmental interaction Specific Concepts: Physical environment Landforms Geographical Patterns Natural Processes Migration Population density Growth rates Cultural landscapes Urbanization Settlement patterns Geographical locations Rural/urban Natural resources Technology Natural disasters Spatial organization

Social Studies Concepts Government Concepts Civic life Politics Limited Government Unlimited Government Individual Rights Common Good Citizenship Authority Power Rule of Law Constitution Shared powers Governmental systems Constitutional government Ideals General Welfare Society Voluntarism Diversity Political culture Values and principles National identity Political conflict Political action Interest groups Distributed, shared and limited powers Domestic and foreign policy Taxation Laws, rules, regulations Public Agenda Nation-states Roles, rights and responsibilities

Social Studies Concepts Economics Concepts Needs/wants Scarcity Goods/Services Choice Resources Value Opportunity costs Costs/benefits Market economy; markets Command economy Consumers/producers Incentives Production, consumption and distribution Exchange Trade Imports/exports Labor and labor productivity Wages/income Money Banks; financial institutions Specialization Supply and demand Competition Price Exchange rate Standard of living Productivity

Examples of Subject Area Concepts Conflict/Cooperation Patterns Populations System Change/Continuity Culture Evolution Civilization Migration/Immigration Interdependence Social Studies

Examples of Subject Area Concepts Markets Supply and Demand Cost Interdependence Beliefs/Values Goods/Services Conflict Cooperation Perceptions Patterns Power Systems Economics