"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"
(Theodor Seuss Geisel)
Bloom's Revised Taxonomy of cognitive objectives is one of the best ways to differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of your students. Because of its six levels of thinking, Bloom's Revised Taxonomy can provide a framework for planning units that incorporate low to high-level thinking activities. Therefore, when we use Bloom's Revised Taxonomy as a planning framework we can plan for student thinking at all levels.
Bloom's Revised Taxonomy PowerPoint Presentation (378 KB) |
An introduction to Bloom's Revised Taxonomy including a very thorough breakdown of each of the six levels of the revised taxonomy. Includes a list of useful print and internet resources. This presentation would be useful to use in a professional development session to introduce Bloom's Revised Taxonomy to teachers.
Bloom's Revised Taxonomy One Page Poster (102 KB) |
This one-page color poster introduces the revised taxonomy--- it provides the headings and brief explanation for each level of the taxonomy. This poster is best printed in color and laminated to display in the classroom for easy reference.
Bloom's Revised Taxonomy Poster Set (110KB) |
A set of six color posters, each one featuring one of the six levels of the taxonomy: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating and Creating. Each poster features a brief definition of the term and includes sample thinking skills (verbs) that feature within that particular level of the taxonomy.
Click above to link to a lovely set of colorful "blooming" posters--- one level per "bloom". Download and print these posters from Swan Hill College in Victoria.
Use this planning framework to design learning activities that foster all levels of thinking. This planning framework includes the name and definition of all six levels as well as actions and suggested products to make planning even easier!
Investigate a Book the Blooming-Smarts Way (51KB) (developed by Kelsie Torrisi). |
Use this matrix in your Reading Program. It lists a number of tasks for students to complete in terms of their current reading book. They are generic activities organized across all intelligences and catering for all level of Bloom's Taxonomy that students can select from. An excellent resource developed by Kelsie Torrisi.
In this mini unit on energy and movement, Robyn McNee has designed a number of activities according to the levels in Bloom's Revised Taxonomy.
Bloomin Maths! |
Click on the links below to download mathematics activities differentiated according to Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. These activities, developed by Robyn McNee, offer students a variety of levels of activities around the same mathematical concept:
Blooming Science Topics |



A number of science topics organized according to the six levels of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy. Adapted from planning included in: Forte, Imogene and S. Schurr. (1997). The All-New Science Mind Stretchers: Interdisciplinary Units to Teach Science Concepts and Strengthen Thinking Skills. Cheltenham, Vic.: Hawker Brownlow. Print out and use, or download and adapt for your own classroom situation.
Exploring Rocks and Minerals with Bloom's Revised Taxonomy (29 KB) | |
Bloom's Science Experiment Form (23 KB) |
This simple science experiment record sheet for student use has been adapted from Graphic Organizers and Planning Outlines, 1997, pp. 25-26. It demonstrates how easily Bloom's Revised Taxonomy can be used to organize student thinking and observations during a science experiment.
"Blooming Smarts" Planning Matrix (40 KB) |
Print out this planning matrix to plan activities that incorporate all levels of thinking from Bloom's Revised Taxonomy and all eight Smarts (Multiple Intelligences).
| Christmas- "Blooming Smarts" Activity Matrix (32 KB) |
A number of Christmas activities organized across all Smarts and Bloom's levels. Adapted from a unit plan located at http://www.bayswaterps.vic.edu.au/curriculum/l2christmi.html (accessed 07.04.03)
TAKS, TEKS and H.O.T.S
Research Associates Aaron Kercheval and Sharon Newbill (2002) reported the key effective test preparation strategies included:
According to Douglas Reeves (2004), "Even if the state test is dominated by lower-level thinking skills and questions are posed in a multiple-choice format, the best preparation for such tests is not mindless testing drills, but extensive student writing, accompanied by thinking, analysis, and reasoning" (p. 92). Emphasis on literacy was another key effective practice in Ohio's improved school districts (Kercheval & Newbill, 2002). In other words, good instruction is the best test preparation!
Math Problems Key Operational Clue Words and Strategies
Students will be more successful on the TAKS test if they learn to watch for key words and translate those into mathematical operations.
Questions:
What are my key words?
Key Words in Math
Addition | increased by more than how many more, in all, altogether total amount perimeter |
Subtraction | decreased by less |
Multiplication | of area each
|
Division | per, a, ratio of, quotient of, share distribute quotient average |
Equals | is, are, was, were, will be |
Practice
1. | Which words in a word problem usually mean that addition is the correct operation to use? Which words usually indicate that subtraction should be used? Which words usually indicate that multiplication should be used? Which words usually indicate that division should be used? Which words usually indicate equals? |
2. | Give two examples of problems about money or time that came up in your everyday life. Were you able to solve them? |
Strategies:
· Read the problem entirely
Get a feel for the whole problem
· List information and the variables you identify
Attach units of measure to the variables (gallons, miles, inches, etc.)
· Define what answer you need,
as well as its units of measure
· Work in an organized manner
Working clearly will help you think clearly
o Draw and label all graphs and pictures clearly
o Note or explain each step of your process;
this will help you track variables and remember their meanings
· Look for the "key" words (above)
Certain words indicate certain mathematical operations:
Elementary School | |
| Scope and Sequence | Planning Guide |
| K-2nd Scope and Sequence | K-2nd Planning Guide |
| 3rd-5th Scope and Sequence | 3rd-5th Planning Guide |
Middle School | |
| Scope and Sequence | Planning Guide |
| 6th-8th Scope and Sequence | 6th-8th Planning Guide |
High School | |
| Scope and Sequence | Planning Guide |
| Algebra I Scope and Sequence | Algebra I Planning Guide |
| Geometry Scope and Sequence | Geometry Planning Guide |
| Algebra II Scope and Sequence | Algebra II Planning Guide |
| Math Models with Applications Scope and Sequence | Math Models with Application Planning Guide |
Using Transition Words
Think of an essay as a river. Without bumps, gaps, or shifts, the paragraphs gently flow from one idea to the next. To make your essay flow as smoothly as possible, you must strengthen the ties between old information and new. One way to accomplish this is
by using transitional words.
Common Transitions of Addition, Examples, Compare, and Contrast | |||
Addition | Examples | Compare | Contrast |
and also besides further furthermore in addition moreover next too first second | for example for instance to illustrate in fact specifically
| in the same manner similarly likewise | but however on the other hand in contrast nevertheless still on the contrary even though yet although |
An example of transition words showing compare/contrast on a lesson plan. Break it down for the students first using a T-Chart to show difference between the book, The Outsiders, to the film. Once the students complete the T-Chart, have them write a composition comparing the novel to the film.
See below:
Common Transitions of Time, Place/Direction, Summary/Conclusion, Logical Relationship/Cause-effect | |||
Time | Place/Direction | Summary/Conclusion | Logical Relationship/Cause-effect |
after as before next during later finally meanwhile then when while immediately | above below beyond farther on nearby opposite close to the left | in other words in short in summary in conclusion to sum up that is therefore
| if so therefore consequently thus as a result for this reason since
|
Just as important as using the correct transition word between ideas is the importance of using the correct sentence structure which the transition word requires. Consider the following three types of transition words of contrast and their accompanying sentences:
"But:" The machine works, but it is damaged.
"But" is a coordinating conjunction used to join to independent clauses together.
"Although:" The machine works although it is damaged.
Although it is damaged, the machine works.
"Although" is a subordinating dependent clause connector used to join an independent clause with a dependent clause. In this sentence, the independent clause (main idea) is "the machine." The dependent clause (support idea) is "it is damaged."
"However:" The machine works. However, it is damaged.
The machine works; however, it is damaged.
"However" is used as a transition word to join two separate sentences together.
These examples show that, although the three have the same meaning, they can be grouped grammatically into three categories: coordinators, subordinators, and transition words.
Common Transition Words | ||
Coordinators | Subordinators | Transition Words |
so, and, but, for, or, yet | noun clause connectors: how, how many, if, that, what, when, where, whether, which, who, whom, whose, why, adjective clause connectors: that, when, where, whereby, which, whom, whose adverb clause connectors: as, because, inasmuch as, now that, since, if, in case, provided, providing, unless, whether, although, even though, though, whereas, while, in that, where, wherever, as, after, as long as, as soon as, before, by the time, once, since, until, when, whenever, while
| also as a result besides consequently finally first for instance for example for this reason further furthermore however in addition in the same manner in other words in conclusion in fact in summary in contrast in short later likewise meanwhile moreover nevertheless next on the other hand on the contrary second similarly specifically still that is then therefore thus to sum up to illustrate
|
Book? | Brain? |
Book Questions? o Actually in the text o Literal comprehension o Details o Facts or opinions expressed o Sequence o Graphs and Diagrams o Vocabulary with meaning expressed Strategy: Keep reading until you find the answer. | Brain Questions? o Author’s Purpose o Point of View o Unexpressed Cause and Effect o Feelings and Emotions o Character Motives o Inference o Generalization o Summarization o Drawing Conclusions o Evaluation o Prediction o Unexpressed compare/contrast Strategy: Look for clues and start thinking. |
Reading Strategy using Brain or Book:
o Read the title and decide what you think the passage/story/article is about.
o Skip down to the questions or stems.
o Read the first question or stem.
o Rewrite it in you own words.
o Decide if the question is “Book” or “Brain.”
o Continue with the remainder of the questions or stems.
o Go back to the beginning and read the first paragraph.
o In the margin, write one word, phrase (elementary), or sentence (secondary) to tell what that paragraph is about.
o Go to the next paragraph and do the same thing.
o Continue until you finish the reading passage.
o If there are several one or two-sentence paragraphs, as in dialogue, these can be considered as one.
o After reading all the paragraphs, read the first question or stem again.
o Use the word or sentence you wrote to help you find the paragraph containing the answer.
o Underline the part of the paragraph that tells you the answer for a “book” question or stem.
o Choose your answer, circle it in you test booklet and bubble the answer in your separate TAKS test document.
o For summarization questions or stems, look at your words or sentences from the beginning, middle and end.
o Combine them into a sentence and then compare with the answer choices or options to see which best fits your summary.
o Circle and bubble in the best choice.
Summary:
o Read the title
o Read the questions and put them in your own words.
o Determine what is asked and if “book or brain.”
o Read and analyze text, visuals, etc.
o Note in a word or phrase that identifies the topic of each paragraph.
o Reread questions.
o Circle the best answer in you test booklet and bubble the answer choice on your answer documents.
Texas Education
Texas Education Agency
This is the new Texas Education Agency Web Page. Scroll down the left side for links to major divisions at TEA or scroll down the right side to reach the most requested items.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/
Texas No Child Left Behind Website
Welcome to the Texas Education Agency's web page on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). This site is intended as a clearinghouse for information and USDE guidance on NCLB, statewide letters concerning the implementation of the statute, and links to the specific program areas. Scroll down for links to Recent Updates and Hot Topics.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/nclb/
Texas TEA Division of Student Assessment
The student assessment homepage is found here. Branch to one of three areas of user interest: Students and Parents, Teachers and Administrators, and Researchers. Follow through to lots of links to assessment details.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/index.html
Overview of Assessment
Texas Student Assessment Program
Start here for a quick overview of the statewide assessments currently in place: Texas Assessment of Academic Progress (TAAS),the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) the State Developed Alternate Assessment (SDAA) and the Reading Proficiency Test in English (RPTE).
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/about/overview.html
Texas Student Success Initiative
Parents with students in grades 3,5, and 8 need to look here for an introduction to the new Student Success Inititative. Learn about the promotion policies that go into effect in 2003 for grade 3, 2005 for grade 5, and 2008 for grade 8. Lots of references.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/ssi/index.html/ssi/index.html
Texas Students and Parents Page
This page was designed to meet assessment questions for students and parents. Links to information about assessments, reports, graduation requirements, released tests, and scoring guides.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/parents.html
Curriculum (What's Tested)
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)are the center of the Texas curriculum and define the basic content of the instructional and assessment program. TEKS outline the knowledge and skills required of every student on the TAKS. Use this site to link to the TEKS by subject and grade. The educator guide for the RPTE can also be found at this site.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/#Chapters
Texas TAKS Blueprints
Check out the new Texas TAKS blueprints. Learn the number of questions per objective for each test here.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/taks/blueprints/index.html
Texas TAKS Information Booklets
Look here for the most recent information on the new Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills which is linked to the Texas Essential Knowledges and Skills. Find sample items, reading/writing selections, and prompts.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/taks/booklets/index.html
Texas TAKS Performance Standards
What are the performance standards on all of the new TAKS tests administered in 2002-2003? Visit this site for the types and numbers of items that must be answered correctly to pass each test in the spring of 2003.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/scoring/pstandards/index.html
Texas Writing Scoring Guides
Is your child a student in grade 4,7, or 10? Learn how the Texas written compositions are scored when you read the scoring rubrics and sample papers. Look under TAKS Resources and select TAKS Reading and Writing Rubrics, TAKS Information Books and TAKS Study Guides for the general information. Next select "TAKS Released Tests" and go to the specific scoring guides for writing at these grade levels. The answer key is not enough.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/teachers.html
Test Results
Texas District and Campus TAAS Results
Find results for Texas districts and for campuses for the previous school year in terms of all students tested. Listed by grade and subject.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/reporting/results/swresults/campdist/index.html
Texas National Report Card
Visit this National Center for Education Statistics site for State Profiles from the Nation's Report Card. Download recent math, reading, science, and writing results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)for your state. Select your state from the pull down menu or click on the state.
http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/states
Texas Statewide Results for the Texas Assessment Program
You'll find the multi-year results of all state assessment programs at this site. Results are updated routinely as they become avaiable. Check out the other reports listed including the RPTE, SDAA, and TAKS.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/reporting/index.html
Special Ed
Texas Special Education Web Page
Scroll down this informative special education state web page to link to specific topics of interest including assessment.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed
Bilingual/ESL
Texas Bilingual/ Limited English Proficient Students Web Page
Scroll to find current information on assessment of students receiving bilingual or English as a Second Language services in Texas. Other resources are also available.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/bilingual.html
Graduation Requirements
Texas High School Assessment Requirements for Graduation
Assessment requirements for graduation in Texas– note that a new graduation test is scheduled for implementation during the 2002-2003 school year. At that time the end-of-course tests will be phased out.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/grad/index.html
State Contacts
Texas Contact Information for Student Assessment, TEA
Have questions? Here are the Texas state assessment office contacts.
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/about/contact.html
Texas School District Directory Information
Click on Ask Ted and then under Directory/Mailing Labels go to Public School Information.
http://askted.tea.state.tx.us/
Additional Information
Texas Higher Education College for Texans Website
Visit this multi-purpose college preparation site that enables Texas students to prepare, apply, learn how to pay for, and plan their careers. Be sure to check out the Military in Texas link.
http://www.collegefortexans.com/default2.cfm