My biggest problem when implementing Depth and Complexity? I used them in a shallow and simple way!
Depth and Complexity Icons: The Copyright Question
Are you allowed to use Depth and Complexity? Who owns the copyright? Do you need permission?
All AboutDepth And Complexity
This framework for differentiation will give your students practical ways to think more deeply about a topic.
Featured Articles
Depth and Complexity: The Icons, the Framework, and How to Actually Use Them
How To Use Depth and Complexity Digitally
While the official depth and complexity icons look great, they lead to all kinds of problems in the digital world and also take ownership away from students. Emoji are an elegant solution to both problems.
Depth and Complexity vs Bloom’s Taxonomy: You Need Both
You can use the prompts of depth and complexity yet still ask very shallow questions. Here's how to avoid this common pitfall…
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Other Depth and Complexity Articles
Don’t just list examples of writing techniques. Let’s improve Shakespeare!
I stopped and started with “What 👄 special writing techniques does the author use? List examples.”
Taking A Zoologist Across Disciplines
All I did was ask students to list and explain three “disciplines.” Let’s take it a bit further!
My class listed two Unanswered Questions. Now what?
It seems obvious, but if someone tells me what they’re wondering about, I shouldn’t move on to another topic!
Going Beyond “Define These Terms In Your Own Words”
“Define these terms in your own words” may contain depth and complexity… but it’s neither deep nor complex!
Multiple Perspectives Gone Mad!!
Yes, I actually gave my students this question: “How could two experts’ 👓 perspectives regarding information from this reading selection differ from one another?” yikes.
Beyond “Describe How This Changed Over Time”
I want to go beyond just listing how a character changed. Let’s get students thinking about that change!
A Depth and Complexity ELA Worksheet with Problems
Here’s a Depth and Complexity worksheet I used to use with my students: I look at it now and shudder. I was making so many mistakes here. Let’s just zoom out and imagine that I asked the same questions at a book club with fellow adults. Me: What is this story’s main theme? Him: Oh, […]
Don’t Just List ⚖️ Ethical Issues
Let’s improve this “make a list” question to incorporate high level thinking.
Improving “What’s The Chapter’s 🏛️ Big Idea?”
Let’s improve this bland Depth and Complexity question by getting really specific.