Profundity
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The Profundity Scale as a Heuristic Construct Heuristic: Aiding or guiding in discovery. Inciting to find out. The Profundity Scale is a heuristic. It is a way of seeing through the surface of the story (physical plane) to the deep-level meaning at the theme or universal truth level. The lens, the story grammar, is clarified by what the author has intended to be understood: the setting, characters, problem, plot, events, and resolution. The seven planes of the Profundity Scale systematically organize thinking and give structure for delivering the core foundation of the text to find the lesson, theme, or principle. This “discovery” will ring true in other texts, in life, and in other content areas. The Profundity Scale planes provide a perspective for comprehending something unknown through the known; promoting analogical and metaphorical thinking to solve problems and gain insights. It may provide an “ah ha” or give us unexpected insight. It is a heuristic device that leads us to discover new knowledge or new understandings.
Whole Group Deep Reading Using the Profundity Scale
Reading fiction provides a rich context for students to learn more than the words have to offer. Some stories have such opportunities for students. When reading fiction students are able to understand what happens literally but often need assistance in understanding the theme(s) or life lesson(s). Profundity is a way to tap into this wisdom through analysis of a character. After closely reading and critically analyzing a piece of fiction, students are ready to look for the wisdom in the narrative. The protocol we have used with kindergartners to adults is called the profundity scales. The scales move from the concrete to the abstract level in layers of planes: physical, mental, moral, physiological, analytical, philosophical and transformational. The transformations are abstract enough to let students apply them to other situations or even other disciplines. This occurs as students answer questions about a main character’s actions and progress to higher levels of thinking in the process. (Excerpted from E.Weber, 'Learning to Read and Think in an Elementary Classroom' in Comprehensive Literacy Basics)
Narrative Profundity Packet
- Narrative Profundity Steps
- Narrative Profundity Resource
- Narrative Profundity Scale Scoring Sheet
Expository Profundity Packet
- Expository Profundity Steps
- Expository Profundity
- Expository Profundity Scale Scoring Sheet
Profundity Examples - A Busy Bird Text
Narrative Profundity - Blank Chart
A Profundity List for Children
Seven Steps to Profundity Flip Book
Color Profundity Scale (Chart)
Whole Group Deep Reading Using the Profundity Scale
Reading fiction provides a rich context for students to learn more than the words have to offer. Some stories have such opportunities for students. When reading fiction students are able to understand what happens literally but often need assistance in understanding the theme(s) or life lesson(s). Profundity is a way to tap into this wisdom through analysis of a character. After closely reading and critically analyzing a piece of fiction, students are ready to look for the wisdom in the narrative. The protocol we have used with kindergartners to adults is called the profundity scales. The scales move from the concrete to the abstract level in layers of planes: physical, mental, moral, physiological, analytical, philosophical and transformational. The transformations are abstract enough to let students apply them to other situations or even other disciplines. This occurs as students answer questions about a main character’s actions and progress to higher levels of thinking in the process. (Excerpted from E.Weber, 'Learning to Read and Think in an Elementary Classroom' in Comprehensive Literacy Basics)
Narrative Profundity Packet
- Narrative Profundity Steps
- Narrative Profundity Resource
- Narrative Profundity Scale Scoring Sheet
Expository Profundity Packet
- Expository Profundity Steps
- Expository Profundity
- Expository Profundity Scale Scoring Sheet
Profundity Examples - A Busy Bird Text
Narrative Profundity - Blank Chart
A Profundity List for Children
Seven Steps to Profundity Flip Book
Color Profundity Scale (Chart)