Mrs. Raude's 4th Grade Gifted AllStars

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This six-level hierarchy of thinking processes is often used by teachers to 
plan a variety of questions or tasks of different levels of difficulty, so 
that all children may choose or be allocated work at which they are likely to 
succeed, but that also will require reasonable effort, even from the most 
able.

Bloom's Taxonomy comprises the three 'lower' levels of Knowledge, 
Comprehension and Application, along with what are usually said to be 
the 'higher order thinking' levels of Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation. It 
is not the case that only those children identified as gifted or talented 
should attempt tasks at the upper levels - for these are skills that all 
children need to develop - but it is important that highly able children have 
many opportunities to work at tasks that are more demanding, such as those 
requiring analysis, synthesis and evaluation. It is a matter of finding the 
right mix of the six levels for each child, to ensure that learning is 
thought-provoking and that connections with 'real life' are made.

The Levels

In describing the levels of thinking, we will suggest examples of activities 
that are representative of that level. The following activities and questions 
are based on ideas in the book Blooming Into Themes With Multiple 
Intelligences, (edited by Bailey, Knight, O'Keefe & Brown, and published by 
Hawker Brownlow Education, Melbourne, 1997):

Knowledge and Comprehension

Often these first two levels are combined since both involve recalling and 
interpreting information presented, eg:

• Find pictures of toys in magazines and catalogues. Sort them into toys you 
have and toys you would like to have.

• Why did the Ugly Duckling run away?

Application

This level involves applying information to a new or different situation, eg:

• Find out who is trying to protect our endangered animals and write a letter 
to these people.

• Illustrate the stages involved in recycling paper and then test your plan 
by recycling some paper to make note paper for a gift.

Analysis

The skills involved in this level require children to see the relationships 
between the parts that make up a whole, eg:

• Compare your life with the life of a child who travels with a circus.

• Plan a special meal. Make all the arrangements including the guest list, 
invitations, menu, venue etc. and record the steps needed.

Synthesis

At this level, children are required to create new patterns or structures, eg:

• Write a song about 'Old MacDonald' who had a bulldozer instead of a farm.

• Interview the wolf to find out his side of the Red Riding Hood story. Tell 
or write down your findings.

Evaluation

This level involves children making, and justifying, value judgements, eg:

• Choose and illustrate the two most important events in the story.

• Write a letter to your local council recommending ways of improving some 
aspect of your community (such as rubbish disposal or recycling).

*** I hope this information will assist you in working with your child at 
home. Remember that these questions can be asked in reference to any novel 
your child is reading at home. If you have any questions, please feel free to 
contact me!

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