Icons of Depth & Complexity Based on Layering Differentiated Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented by Sandra N. Kaplan
The icons of Depth and Complexity developed by Sandra Kaplan, are visual symbols to help students and teachers extend and broaden knowledge and information by making connections and seeing relationships between different disciplines. Understanding these icons can help students evaluate information on a more thoughtful level, participate in more complex discussions, recognize other viewpoints and develop a more complete understanding of a subject or topic. Photo downloaded February 9, 2014 from: https://pressroom.usc.edu/sandra-kaplan/ The eleven icons can be used together or separately to stimulate discussions and encourage higher level and critical thinking skills. Sandra Kaplan s Icons of Depth & Complexity
Using the icons of Depth and Complexity in the classroom is not really that complex at all. A teacher can incorporate these icons into any lesson to make it more meaningful and enriching for students. To help teachers see how simply you can expand a topic in a way to make it more thought provoking and engaging, the example of the Olympic Games will be used with each of the eleven icons. Using the Icons of Depth & Complexity in the Classroom
Big Idea What is the purpose of the Olympic Games? List the events of both the Summer and Winter Games. Generalizations Principles, laws, theories Themes Main Topics Why are the Olympic Games celebrated and watched around the world?
Language of the Discipline What are the official languages of the Olympics? Terminology of Subject Jargon Figures of Speech Signs & Symbols What equipment is needed for the athletes in each Olympic event? List some terms or words that might be unique to the Olympic Games, events or athletes.
Details How are certain events scored? clues, facts, features, data, ideas, traits, items, parts, specifics, elements, attributes, characteristics, etc. Describe the differences and similarities between events in both the Winter and Summer Games. What is the relevance of the unique details in each Olympic event?
Trends What are the newest technical designs in clothing and apparel for athletes? General Directions Tendencies Current Styles Influences How has this design affected athletic performance? How has the style of the sport changed since the last Olympics?
Ethics What are some unfair advantages one Olympic team may have over another? Controversies Moral Dilemmas Principles of right vs. wrong Values How will the Games be affected if every athlete were allowed to use performance enhancing drugs? Does performance alone make an Olympic champion or does behavior hold some relevance?
Rules Refers to: Standards Methods Expected behaviors Directions for conduct or procedures What are the specific rules of each event? Do these rules make things more or less fair? How have the rules changed since the original Greek Games? Who decides the rules for each event?
Multiple Perspectives Explain how athletes, coaches, fans, government leaders, judges, etc. may view the Olympic Games. Different points of view Ways of seeing & reporting Often affected by roles & responsibilities Does the media from different countries report on similar things at the Olympics? Which events would be more interesting in each country?
Relate Over Time How have the Olympics changed over time? How have they stayed the same? Looks at past, present & future Predictions Application of historical knowledge Identify a time in history when the Olympic Games were not as celebrated as they are today. How has the cost of hosting the Olympics changed over time?
Across Disciplines Besides athletics, what other subjects or skills are necessary in the Olympic Games? Multidisciplinary Connecting subject areas Integrating ideas & skills List the specific skills an athlete must have to compete in the Olympics. How do experts learn from each of the Olympic Games?
Patterns Describe the patterns you might see in an Olympic event. What are the causes of success and failure in the Olympics? Predictive Able to be reproduced Repetitive Cycles How do experts predict who will medal and who will not? How does an athlete maintain consistency in performance?
Unanswered Questions What makes someone an Olympic Champion? Puzzles Mysteries Dilemmas Something unsolved or uncertain Why do some athletes perform better than others under pressure? Why do some countries dominate specific sports?
Resources: Depth & Complexity Images downloaded February 9, 2014 from https://www.google.com/search? q=icons+of+depth+and+complexity&rlz=1c1chkw_enus449us449&espv=210&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa =X&ei=0R74Uvj4G8a6yQGaloCwBQ&ved=0CCkQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=673 Information Collected from Depth and Complexity Icon Cards 2003 available at http://jtayloreducation.com/all-products/depth-and-complexity-icon-cards