Using Frames Think Like a Disciplinarian

The Gold Rush Rocks and Minerals

Frames used as a teaching tool: 1.Focus on the Big Idea 2.Clarify understanding 3.Guide thinking towards analysis, synthesis and evaluation 4.Build support, encourage justification

Whole Group or Small Group Instruction: Works with different readiness levels Frame is the same, content is different Use icons to challenge thinking Allow for choice

For Alternate Activities: Guides discussion in Literature Circles Supports independent research Provides organizational structure for responding to literature or writing a report Helps focus thinking about unanswered questions and promotes curiosity

Use a frame to analyze one topic Use a frame to organize subtopics of a Big Idea Use a frame to ‘go deeper’ into complex icons such as Ethics, Change Over Time or From Different Perspectives

4. Define the Rules and how/why they should be addressed Examine the Ethics of Protecting Copyright 1. List the Details of copyright law 2. What are the current Trends? 3. Use the Language of the Discipline to explain

1.Link to curriculum and standards 2.Identify the discipline and related disciplinarians (e.g Earth Science geologist, hydrologist, meteorologist, archaeologist, anthropologist) 3.Define the specific language, tools, skills and expertise of the disciplinarian

Students… work in small groups, in pairs or independently to focus on one discipline/disciplinarian investigate aspects of their particular discipline/ disciplinarian approach information and tasks within the unit from the perspective of the disciplinarian relate and share information as the disciplinarian with others

Unit of Study: Geology/Rocks & Minerals Geologist: Looks at origin, composition and location: conducts chemical tests Archaeologist: Looks at how rocks were used as tools; conducts simulations, tests theories Anthropologist: Looks at how rocks were used as religious ornaments; compares with other evidence

Not always… All students may work with frames, but have different Big Ideas, different icons and/or different levels of support All students may ‘think like a disciplinarian’ but be required to think literally or interpretively, do guided research or independent research, comprehend or evaluate Groups may be mixed, or based upon readiness or interest All students need to stretch and be challenged, which may look different for different students…