ABSTRACT
Systems can be quite complicated. Take author's political system, for example. A basic understanding of it is that there are three branches of government, each watching the other to make sure there is no abuse of power. In practice, they know it is far more complex than this. Because many systems are so complex, from ecosystems to the Earth’s climate to the solar system, having the ability to analyze complicated systems and describe them concisely and accurately is a valuable skill. The authors start small with students, asking them to understand ecosystems, how the economy works, systems of equations, or what system to use in order to write a clear essay. They ask students to explain systems, or write them, or to be able to explain them visually. By being able to understand a system, students are able to see both the big picture as well as the little details.
