Depth and Complexity

The critical thinking tools introduced here were developed by Dr. Sandra Kaplan, USC under the auspices of OERI, Javits Curriculum Project T.W.O., 1996. Ideas presented here are also adapted from Flip Book, Too Dr. Sandra Kaplan and Bette Gould

The Depth and Complexity Icons are visual prompts designed to help students go beyond surface level understanding of a concept and enhance their ability to think critically. These critical thinking tools help students dig deeper into a concept (depth) and understand that concept with greater complexity.

Click here for an overview of each icon

Resources For Teachers

Mini lesson for teaching icons

explaining the icons and printable ws

Depth and Complexity Question Stems

Using Depth and Complexity with Literature

D&C for Reading Comprehension

Link to D&C bookmarks

Using D&C with Writers Workshop

Examples of how to use frames

Using D&C in math

D&C Ethics in math

Open the presentation below to learn how to use Depth and Complexity Frames!