10/22/2016 Bloom's Taxonomy Lesson Plans in the Classroom

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Bloom's Taxonomy in the Classroom

By Melissa Kelly SHARE PIN
Secondary Education Expert

Updated August 08, 2016.

Introduction to Bloom's
Taxonomy:

Bloom's Taxonomy was

created by Benjamin Bloom
during the 1950s and is a way
to categorize the levels of
reasoning skills required in
classroom situations. There
are six levels in the taxonomy,
each requiring a higher level of
abstraction from the students.
Andrea Hernandez/ CC/ Flickr
As a teacher, you should
attempt to move students up the taxonomy as they progress in their knowledge. Tests that are Sign Up for Our
written solely to assess knowledge are unfortunately very common. Free Newsletters
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However, to create thinkers as opposed to students who simply recall information, we must
incorporate the higher levels into lesson plans and tests. ✔ Living Healthy
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Knowledge:
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In the knowledge level of Bloom's Taxonomy, questions are asked solely to test whether a
student has gained specific information from the lesson.

For example, have they memorized the dates for a particular war or do they know the
presidents that served during specific eras in American History. It also includes knowledge of SECONDARY EDUCATION
the main ideas that are being taught. You are probably writing knowledge questions when you
Classroom Management
use words like tell, list, label, name, etc.
Curriculum Areas

Comprehension: Technology and Education

Lesson Plans and Activities
The comprehension level of Bloom's Taxonomy has students go past simply recalling facts Assessments and Tests
and instead has them understanding the information. With this level, they will be able to
Learning Theories and Pedagogy
interpret the facts. Instead of simply being able to name the various types of clouds, for
Teacher Education and Enrichment
example, the students would be able to understand why each cloud has formed in that
Teaching Tips and Strategies
manner. You are probably writing comprehension questions when you use words like
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describe, contrast, discuss, predict, etc.
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Application: Resources for Teachers - Making Teachin…
special education resources - information …
Application questions are those where students have to actually apply, or use, the knowledge
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they have learned. They might be asked to solve a problem with the information they have
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gained in class being necessary to create a viable solution. For example, a student might be
asked to solve a legal question in an American Government class using the Constitution and
its amendments.

You are probably writing application questions when you use words like complete, solve,
examine, illustrate, show, etc.

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10/22/2016 Bloom's Taxonomy Lesson Plans in the Classroom
Analysis:

In the analysis level, students will be required to go beyond knowledge and application and
actually see patterns that they can use to analyze a problem. For example, an English teacher
might ask what the motives were behind the protagonist's actions during a novel. This
requires students to analyze the character and come to a conclusion based on this analysis.
You are probably writing analysis questions when you use words like analyze, explain,
investigate, infer, etc.

Synthesis:

With synthesis, students are required to use the given facts to create new theories or make
predictions. They might have to pull in knowledge from multiple subjects and synthesize this
information before coming to a conclusion. For example, if a student is asked to invent a new
product or game they are being asked to synthesize. You are probably writing synthesis TODAY'S TOP 5 PICKS IN
questions when you use words like invent, imagine, create, compose, etc.
EDUCATION

Evaluation: 10 Things You

5 Didn't Know About
Einstein
The top level of Bloom's Taxonomy is evaluation. Here students are expected to assess
By Jennifer Rosenberg
information and come to a conclusion such as its value or the bias behind it. For example, if a 20th Century History
student is completing a DBQ (Document Based Question) for an AP US History course, they Expert
are expected to evaluate the bias behind any primary or secondary sources in order to see
how that effects the points that the speaker is making. You are probably writing evaluation 10 Wildlife
4 Conservation
questions when you use words like select, judge, debate, recommend, etc. Organizations Worth
Supporting
Things to Consider While Implementing Bloom's Taxonomy: By Bob Strauss
Animals & Wildlife Expert
The reason that some teachers fail to move students up the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy are
many. For example, a teacher might have low expectations concerning the students' abilities. 8 Tips for a
3 Successful College
This is just sad and becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Another reason might be that it can
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become difficult and time consuming for the teacher. It is a complete truth that it is much
By Allen Grove
easier to grade assignments based on the lower levels than on the higher levels. In fact, as College Admissions
you move up Bloom's Taxonomy, you will find that rubrics become more important to ensure Expert
fair, accurate, and quick grading.
Ancient Techniques
2 That Will Improve
In the end, it is supremely important that we as educators help our students become critical
Your Memory
thinkers. Building on knowledge and helping kids begin to apply, analyze, synthesize, and
By Grace Fleming
evaluate is the key to helping them grow and prosper in school and beyond. Homework & Study Tips
Expert
Citation: Bloom, B. S. (ed.). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Vol. 1: Cognitive
Domain. New York: McKay, 1956. Your Severe
1 Weather Study
Guide
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