What is Bloom's Taxonomy?
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).
Levels In:
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.