Bloom’s
Taxonomy is probably the most well-known hierarchy of assessing thinking.
As I was researching this topic I thought, "Do teachers really care about this?" The answer is YES because we all want our children to THINK! I bet you already ask many of these, so take a look and then you can kiss your brain!
Level
One – Knowledge – Ask students to identify and recall information.
Who____________?
What____________?
Where__________?
When__________?
How
many_______?
Define_________
Describe_________
What
happened after ______?
Can
you name _________?
Can
you tell why ________?
True
or false?
Level
Two – Comprehension - Ask students to organize information or put it in another
form.
Re-tell
_________
What
is the main idea?
Can
you summarize?
What
do you think might happen next?
Who
was the main character?
Give
an example______
Can
you explain_____?
Describe
_____
Level
Three – Application - Have students use facts, rules, and principles.
How is
____related to ______?
Could you
think of another instance where ____?
What would
happen if______?
Who would
this information be useful to?
Can you
think of a lesson/rule from_______?
What would
you do______?
Level
Four – Analysis - Ask students to break information
into parts.
How does
____compare/contrast with _____?
If ___
happened what might the ending be?
What are the
parts of______?
What was the
turning point____?
What was the
problem with_____?
How is____
similar to ____?
What’s
fact? What’s opinion?
Level
Five – Synthesis - Invite students to compile
information in a new way.
Can you
think of a song… solution…
What ideas
can you add to____?
What
if______?
Why do you
suppose that____?
How many
ways can you_____?
Level Six –
Evaluation - Ask students to develop an opinion or
make judgments.
Is there a
better solution____?
How would
you have handled____?
How would
you feel if_____?
What changes
would you recommend_____?
Do you
agree______?
What do you
think about____?
Hint! Write sample questions for each level on color coded paper. Store them in a can and use them to spark questions.