Language of the Discipline- What vocabulary terms are specific to the content or discipline? Examples- tools, jargon icons, acronyms, special phrases, terms, slang, abbreviations

Details- What are the defining features or characteristics? find examples and evidence to support opinions and ideas. Example: parts, factors, attributes, variables, and distinguishing traits.

Patterns- What elements reoccur? What is the sequence or order of events? Make predictions based on past events. Example: predictability, and repetition.

Unanswered Questions- What information is unclear, missing, or unavailable? What evidence do you need? What has not yet been proven? Example: missing parts, incomplete ideas, discrepancies, unresolved issues, ambiguity.

Rules- What structure underlies this subject? What guidelines or regulations affect it? What hierarchy or ordering principle is at work? Example: Structure, order, reasons, organization, explanation, classification, because...

Trends - Note factors (social economic, political, and geographic)that cause events to occur. Identify patterns to change over time. Example: influence, forces, direction, course of action, compare, contrast , and forecast.

Ethics- What moral principles are involved in this subject? What controversies exist? what arguments could emerge form a study of this topic? Example: values, morals, pros and cons, bias, discrimination, prejudice, judging, differing opinions, point of view, right and wrong, wisdom.

Big Ideas- What theory or general statement applies to these ideas? How do these ideas relate to broad concepts such as change, systems, chaos vs. order, etc...? What is the main idea? Example: draw conclusions based on evidence, make generalizations, summarize, theory, principle, and main idea.

Across the Disciplines- Relate the area of study to other subjects within, between, and across disciplines. Example: Connect, associate, integrate, lend ideas, cross-curricular studies.

Changes Over Time- How are elements related in terms of the past, present, and future? How and why do things change? What doesn't change? Example: connecting points in time, examining a time period, compare and contrast.

Different Perspectives (Multiple Perspectives)- How would others see the situation differently? Example: different roles and knowledge, opposing viewpoints.