About the store
Come for the GT resources, stay for the fun! You'll find awesome Depth and Complexity resources, as well as other terrific curriculum for your students. Follow along for discounts and to stay in-the-know!
I've taught 3rd grade and all grades in high school (ELA and Social Studies). I've been the Youth and Education Ambassador for Mensa, and am a professional development facilitator, as well as an international speaker on issues of gifted education. I also have a great time writing award-winning lesson plans, consulting for television shows (you may have seen me on Child Genius), and writing for the Library of Congress, as well as publishing magazine articles.
I share resources for educators and parents on my website https://giftedguru.com.
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Back to School Depth and Complexity Activities for Gifted or Regular Classrooms
🥳This Depth and Complexity Back to School low-prep set of activities will make back to school a time of learning and connection. You'll get 7 activities that are all ready to print and go! The activities actively teach Depth & Complexity thinking prompts while providing engaging learning experiences. If you teach gifted (or even if you don't), this is a must-have back-to-school resource. If you don't know the framework very well or have been wanting to use Depth & Complexity but weren't su
4th - 10th
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.7
Depth and Complexity Posters and Printables of Depth and Complexity Icons
🍎This set of Depth and Complexity Posters and Printables will make using the Depth and Complexity thinking prompts a breeze! Whether you use emoji or the Depth and Complexity icons, you'll get printables/posters you can use to help even young students use the thinking prompts of Depth and Complexity with ease.✅You'll get multiple sets of posters and printables for different uses and student levels, so you're sure to have just what you need to teach with Depth and Complexity. If you teach
Not Specific
Introduction to Depth and Complexity Prompts for 3rd - 6th Grade Lesson Plans
Looking for the perfect way for introduce your Third, Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Grade students to the thinking prompts of Depth and Complexity? This bundle is the answer! This set contains three sets of introductory lessons for all eleven elements.If you have been wanting to use the Depth and Complexity with your students and just weren't sure where to start, or if you just love Depth and Complexity and can't get enough, this bundle offers low-prep and no-prep actvitivities perfect for 3rd, 4t
3rd - 6th
For All Subjects
Depth and Complexity Ebook BUNDLE | Question Stems and Quick Guide
Want to use Depth & Complexity but feel overwhelmed by where to start? These two ebooks give you hundreds of ready-to-use questions and a crystal-clear guide, all at your fingertips. Stop planning from scratch and start teaching with confidence today! ⭐⭐⭐ WHY TEACHERS ARE OBSESSED WITH THIS BUNDLE✅Everything You Need in One Place: No more hunting through books or websites for the right question. Both ebooks live on your phone, tablet, or laptop so you can pull up exactly what you need in second
3rd - 12th
For All Subjects
Greek Philosophers Reading Passages Activities and Informational Text 6th Grade
🏛️Teaching Ancient Greece and dreading another boring worksheet packet? These three activities bring Greek philosophers to LIFE. Students read engaging biographies, create trading cards, and write imaginary dinner conversations. Low-prep for you, high-engagement for them! 🍎WHY THIS ACTIVITY SET IS A TEACHER WINSurprisingly Low-Prep: Print, cut, and go. That's it. The biographies are written. The templates are ready. The rubrics are done. You get detailed, step-by-step teacher instructions tha
5th - 8th
Ancient History, Informational Text, Social Studies
CCSS
RI.6.1
, RI.6.2
, RI.6.3
+9
Thanksgiving Low-Prep Activities Differentiated Depth and Complexity Passages
Need Thanksgiving activities that actually teach standards instead of killing time? This pack saves you hours with ready-to-use stories, differentiated passages, science, math, and writing. Just print and go while students think deeply! 🍁WHY THIS RESOURCE SAVES YOUR NOVEMBERLow-Prep Lifesaver: Most activities are grab-and-go ready. It's the week before Thanksgiving break, you're exhausted, and you need something meaningful. These activities deliver without requiring hours of your time. Real L
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, U.S. History
Literary Elements Depth and Complexity Frames for Figurative Language ELA
⭐Need a quick activity for literary elements that ISN'T another boring worksheet? Grab these 25 print-and-go frames and you're done: no prep, no planning, no Sunday night panic. Just meaningful analysis your students can actually handle! 📚 Why Teachers Are Obsessed With These Frames Zero Prep, Maximum Impact: Seriously: print and hand out. That's it. You don't need to be a Depth and Complexity expert, you don't need to prep anything, and you don't need to hunt down the "perfect" story. These
4th - 8th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
CCSS
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
+21
Depth and Complexity Editable Digital Frames | use with Google Slides™
Editable, digital Depth & Complexity frames are here! Now it's simple for you to create Depth & Complexity frames digitally! This Google Slide file has everything you need to be able to create digital Depth & Complexity frames (or have your students create them!). You will find it incredibly easy to create terrific frames for your students and share them with students, either through Google Classroom™ or even in print (the slides are optimized for letter-sized paper). If you've been trying
3rd - 12th
For All Subjects, Science
Christmas Low-Prep Activities Depth and Complexity Print-and-Go
This Depth and Complexity Christmas Activity Pack is perfect if you're looking for a fabulous selection of Christmas activities that use the Depth & Complexity framework. This Depth and Complexity Christmas Activity Pack has language arts, social studies, math, and science activities, all in one great resource. You'll find Christmas writing prompts, fiction and non-fiction pieces to read, Depth and Complexity frames to complete, a Christmas Around the World mini-book and more! Of course there
4th - 8th
Earth Sciences, English Language Arts, Graphing
Introduction to Depth and Complexity Prompts for Kinder - 2nd Grade Lesson Plans
This bundle is perfect for anyone looking for the perfect way for introduce Kindergarten, First Grade, or Second Grade students to the thinking prompts of Depth and Complexity. This set contains three sets of introductory lessons for all eleven elements.If you have been wanting to use the Depth and Complexity with your younger students and just weren't sure where to start, or if you just love Depth and Complexity and can't get enough, this bundle offers low-prep and no-prep actvitivities per
K - 2nd
For All Subjects, Social Emotional Learning
States and Capitals Memorization Research Activity 50 States by Region
Need to teach states and capitals but want it to be MORE than rote memorization? This research-based project has students master all 50 states and capitals using five different methods, then analyze which works best. It's memorization that actually builds critical thinking! ⭐WHY THIS PROJECT CHANGES EVERYTHINGFinally, Memorization That Feels Meaningful: Yes, your students will memorize all 50 states and capitals. But here's the genius part: they're also conducting research on their own learnin
4th - 7th
Geography, Social Studies
Also included in: Geography Lessons and Activities | Critical and Creative Thinking BUNDLE
Descriptive Writing Unit Low-Prep Lesson Plans Sensory Word Lists Prompts Rubric
📝 Tired of reading (and grading!) flat, boring descriptive writing? This mini unit transforms "It was nice" into writing that POPS off the page in just a few quick lessons. Your students will finally "show, not tell" and you'll actually enjoy grading their work! 🎯 Why This Mini Unit Is a Game-Changer Save Your Sanity: No more vague, lifeless descriptions that make you want to cry. This unit gets results FAST. We're talking immediate improvement in student writing. Teach the Magic Camera meth
4th - 7th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
W.3.3
, W.3.10
, W.4.3
+33
Cinquain Poetry Template Pack Cinquain Poem Activities National Poetry Month
Looking for a terrific cinquain poem template? This Cinquain Poem Template resource has four unique cinquain templates and much, much more! This Cinquain Poetry Template resource has everything you need to help your students create fabulous cinquain poems. No more searching for what you need for cinquains in class! There's so much variety in levels that you can use it in grade levels 3 - 12! With an included digital version, this cinquain template pack will work for you whether you want studen
3rd - 6th
English Language Arts, Poetry, Writing
CCSS
RL.3.5
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.10
+3
Also included in: National Poetry Month Activities | Cinquain Poem Mini Unit
Depth and Complexity Back to School Activities Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
This set of Depth and Complexity Back to School Activities for Kindergarten through 3rd grade will make back to school a time of learning and connection. You'll get 10 activities that are all ready to print and go! The activities actively teach three Depth & Complexity thinking prompts while providing engaging learning experiences. If you teach gifted (or even if you don't), this is a must-have back-to-school resource. If you don't know where to start using Depth and Complexity with lit
K - 3rd
St. Patrick's Day Depth & Complexity Print & Go Low-Prep Activities Test Prep
Looking for a fabulous selection of St. Patrick's Day activities that use the Depth & Complexity framework? This print-and-go activity pack has Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science activities, all in one great resource. You'll find St. Patrick's Day writing prompts, fiction and non-fiction pieces to read, Depth and Complexity frames to complete, a brochure to create, leprechaun problems to solve, Irish geology to explore, and more! Of course there is a digital version included
3rd - 6th
English Language Arts, Reading Strategies, Writing
CCSS
CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.L.1
, CCRA.L.2
+2
Introducing Depth and Complexity All-Grade All Thinking Prompts MEGA BUNDLE
☘️If you need to introduce the Depth and Complexity thinking prompts to K-12 students with excitement and ease, this is the bundle you need. This set contains nine sets of introductory lessons for all eleven elements for all grade levels.If you have been wanting to use the Depth and Complexity with your students and just weren't sure where to start, or if you just love Depth and Complexity and can't get enough, this bundle offers low-prep and no-prep actvitivities perfect for K-12 students. Y
Not Specific
Character Education, For All Subjects
Depth and Complexity Quick Guide Ebook | Learn the Depth and Complexity Icons
Do you love Depth and Complexity and need a quick guide to how to use it in class? Have you seen the Depth & Complexity icons and wondered how to use them? This Depth and Complexity Quick Guide E-book will be a time saver (and maybe even a lifesaver!!). You'll get a two-page, attractive spread for all eleven thinking prompts and one-page guides to all of the Content Imperatives.Depth & Complexity doesn't have to be overwhelming.Do any of these sound familiar? You love Depth & Complexity, b
2nd - 12th
For All Subjects
Also included in: Depth and Complexity Ebook BUNDLE | Question Stems and Quick Guide
Math Game: CONTIG Low-Prep Operations Game for Math Facts Print and Digital
Looking for a fabulous low-prep math game that will have students begging to practice their math facts and math skills? Need to get students to engage in practice they love and won't resent? With both print and digital versions, this standards-aligned low-prep math game is the answer! CONTIG is so much fun! Grab this simple, yet powerful game that requires nothing more than dice and something with which to mark the board.The CONTIG low-prep math game is perfect for:☀️ centers ☀️ small groups
1st - 7th
Arithmetic, Basic Operations, Mental Math
CCSS
2.NBT.A.4
, 4.NBT.B.4
, 4.NBT.B.5
+4
Halloween Activities Depth and Complexity Differentiated Passages Science Math
🎃This Depth and Complexity Halloween Activity Pack is chock-full of print-and-go activities to help you celebrate Halloween while addressing loads and loads of English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies standards. If you're looking for a way to celebrate Halloween while still learning, this activity pack is perfect! You'll find Depth and Complexity Halloween fiction, writing prompts, original non-fiction pieces to read, Depth and Complexity frames to complete, image analysis,
4th - 7th
Basic Operations, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS
5.MD.A.1
, 4.OA.B.4
, RI.4.1
+20
Math Vocabulary Activities Math Vocabulary Games Differentiated 4th 5th Grade
Master 27 Essential Math Vocabulary Terms with 7 Engaging Activities! Transform math vocabulary instruction into an interactive, differentiated experience your 4th and 5th graders will actually enjoy! This comprehensive resource makes teaching academic math vocabulary easy with seven different activity formats. All of the activities use the same 27 critical terms aligned to Common Core standards. Use Depth and Complexity? Great! It's all aligned with the framework! Why You'll Love This Math Voc
4th - 5th
Math
CCSS
4.NBT.B.4
, 4.NBT.B.5
, 4.NBT.B.6
+7
Showing 1-20 of 153 results
About the store
Experience
Come for the GT resources, stay for the fun! You'll find awesome Depth and Complexity resources, as well as other terrific curriculum for your students. Follow along for discounts and to stay in-the-know!
I've taught 3rd grade and all grades in high school (ELA and Social Studies). I've been the Youth and Education Ambassador for Mensa, and am a professional development facilitator, as well as an international speaker on issues of gifted education. I also have a great time writing award-winning lesson plans, consulting for television shows (you may have seen me on Child Genius), and writing for the Library of Congress, as well as publishing magazine articles.
I share resources for educators and parents on my website https://giftedguru.com.
Teaching style
My teaching style emphasizes engagement and quality activities that invite and encourage deep thinking and reasoning. As someone who specializes in bright kiddos, I am laser focused on engaging reluctant learners of all learning abilities.
I'm known for engaging strategies. Build a river down the middle of the room? Check. Create Gatsby's house out of sugar cubes? You bet. Use lyrics to teach literary elements? Of course! Dance the times tables? Sure. I specialize in the Depth and Complexity framework, so you'll see loads of resources for that!
I'm a GT person, and I think it stands for Good Teaching as much as Gifted and Talented. I share resources that work for all students, because good teaching is good teaching.
Awards & shining teacher moments
- TAGT Legacy Book Award (Best book published for parents of gifted children)
- Christa McAuliffe Teacher Hall of Fame
- APEX Grand Award for lesson plans
My own education history
I've got two degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington - a B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from the Honors College, and an M.Ed.T. with English as my content area. I've also done the masters coursework for my administrator certification, and I have been a high school administrator.
I am certified in the following teaching areas in Texas:
*EC-6 Generalist (all content ages 3 - 6th grade)
*4th - 8th ELA
*4th - 8th Social Studies
*9 - 12th ELA
*9th - 12th Social Studies Composite
*K-12 Gifted
*Principal
Additional biographical information
I'm married to an Aussie software engineer, and we have three sons. I love to read and organize and dance and play in my garden and create stuff for teachers (no lie - it's a hobby!). I'm a volunteer genealogist, and I love my Golden Retriever, Brody. I stay busy with family and church and going on walks with teacher friends.
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