2. What constitutes a complex text?
“Complex text is typified by
a combination of longer
sentences, a higher
proportion of lessfrequent words, and a
greater number and
variety of words with
multiple meanings.”
3. SAMPLE
Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin, the country's
paramount leader, cut short a trip to Siberia, returning
to Moscow to oversee the federal response. Mr. Putin
built his reputation in part on his success at suppressing
terrorism, so the attacks could be considered a challenge
to his stature…
4. CHALLENGES OF COMPLEX TEXTS
Overload - just too many to teach!
Some are too big and some are too small.
Some are too vague
5. AIM OF UNPACKING
All students should understand (not just know
and do) so that they can see the universal issues,
patterns, and significance of what they are
studying.
6. UNPACKING METHODS:
Identify the Root word
Identify Big Ideas
Identify Concepts that are Important to Know
and Do
Determine What is Worth explanation
Eliminate unnecessary linkers
7. Important to know
& Do
Big ideas
Root concept
Essential skill
& knowledge
Important
points
Root concept
of the text
at the
heart of the subject
8. HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS:
Read some shorter texts more
closely and repeatedly
Foster student confidence and
independence by having students
reread the passage.
Use Questioning & Discussion in
the Classroom.
9. Teachers are the Key
“Teachers must be the primary driving force
behind change. They are best positioned to
understand the problems of the text that
students face and to generate possible
solutions.”
10. Outcomes
Participants will increase their understanding of
the process of unpacking Complex Texts, know
the relationship among the process of
unpacking and developing effective instruction,
and consider how this information impacts their
curriculum.
