2007 by Education World.

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1

Kaplans Depth and Complexity
Created by Dr. Sandra Kaplan, professor at USC.

Link to video on introducing the prompts to students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McEldMETSnw

DepthUse these tools to dig deeper
Language of the Discipline: specialized
vocabulary, skills/tasks/tools specific to
discipline
Details: elaboration, attributes, parts,
factors
Patterns: reoccurring elements/events;
predictions based on these
Trends: factors that cause events to occur;
patterns of change over time
Rules: structure, order, hierarchy, elements
that set standards
Unanswered Questions: unclear ideas or
missing information, areas yet to be
explored or proven, conclusions that need
further evidence/support
Ethics: value laden ideas, determine
elements that reflect bias, prejudice,
discrimination
Big Idea: rule or general statement that
summarizes information/draws conclusions
based on evidence
ComplexityUse these tools to have a greater
breadth of understanding
Relationships over Time: past, present,
future relationships; why things change or
stay same
Multiple Perspectives: opposing viewpoints,
diversity
Across Disciplines: relate/integrate the area
of study to include methodology of other
disciplines


monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday


K.I.N.D.L.E.
Kids in Need of Diverse Learning Experiences
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.
- Plutarch


February 2014

Example of Using Kaplans Depth and Complexity from
www.byrdseed.com:

While popcorn may be plain,
discussing the ethical issues of popcorn creates a
fascinating debate
looking at the trends of popcorn price at movie
theaters reveals economic insights
examining the rules of popcorn popping becomes a
science lesson
studying the details of what separates popcorn from
other corn broadens thinking
sharing multiple perspectives about popcorn
flavoring opens minds to other cultures
analyzing how popcorn has changed over
time reveals new information about our changing
society

Imagine your students
comparing big ideas amongst literature.
contrasting the different points of view towards the
American Revolution.
identifying the details that make one sentence more
powerful than another.
reflecting on the trends in their math scores.
noting the patterns that connect multiplication and
addition.

The elements of depth and complexity add a layer to
curriculum that immediately increases rigor and
engagement.

How could you incorporate Kaplans Depth and
Complexity into your own lessons?