Metacognition & Higher Order Thinking Skills
What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?
Synthesis/Creation
Higher
Order
Thinking
Evaluation
Analysis
Application
Comprehension
Knowledge
Why is Bloom’s Taxonomy important to me?
7 Survival Skills for the 21 st Century
(The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner)
#1: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Defined: The ability to ask good questions.
How does Bloom’s Taxonomy Impact me?
• Memorization does not equal learning.
• You can memorize something without
understanding.
• Thinking is done in both words & pictures
• There are 3 main types of intelligence & thinking:
• Analytical
• Creative
• Practical
These can blend….
Metacognition
You can improve your thinking skills by
understanding the processes involved in
thinking.
Metacognition = thinking about thinking.
Higher Order Thinking
No memorization
We must do something with the
facts we discover
This is where Bloom’s Taxonomy
comes in….
Bloom’s Taxonomy: A Closer Look
Let’s use The Great Gatsby….
Evaluation: Make judgments
about the value of ideas or
materials.
Syntesis/Creation: Generating new ideas or
ways of viewing things.
Analysis: Separates materials or concepts into component
parts so that its organizational structure is understood.
Application: Use a concept /idea in a new situation;
applies classroom knowledge to workplace.
Comprehension: Understand the meaning, translation and interpretation of problems.
Knowledge: shows the ability to recall facts, terms, basic concepts and answers.
Bloom’s Taxonomy in Action
Let’s use The Great Gatsby….
Evaluation: First, critique
Tom’s character and then
defend his actions.
Synthesis/Creation: Create an alternate ending
where Gatsby is not murdered.
Analysis: Compare and contrast the women in
Gatsby: Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle?
Application: Predict what would happen if Daisy
had shown up at one of Gatsby’s parties ?
Comprehension: How would you summarize the conversation between Gatsby and Tom in the hotel in Chapter 7?
Knowledge: How does Nick described Gatsby in Chapter 1?
So…now what?
1.) You will be writing questions for every
small group discussion based on Bloom’s
Taxonomy.
2) For Friday’s Small Group Discussion, each
one of you should come to the discussion
with the following:
1 Level 1 Question
1 Level 3 Question
1 Level 5 Question
Let’s practice!
Using The Great Gatsby, write a level 1 (Knowledge) question, and explain how it fits
into level 1.
For example: How does Nick described Gatsby in Chapter 1? is a level 1 question
because it asks the reader to recall how Gatsby was described.
Using The Great Gatsby, write a level 2 (Comprehension) question, and explain how it
fits into level 2.
For example: How would you summarize the conversation between Gatsby and Tom
in the hotel in Chapter 7? is a level 2 question because it asks the reader to
demonstrate understanding of the conversation between Gatsby and Tom by having
the reader put the conversation in their own words.
Using The Great Gatsby, write a level 3 (Application) question, and explain how it fits
into level 3.
For example: Predict what would happen if Daisy had shown up at one of Gatsby’s
parties ? is a level 3 question because it asks the reader to apply knowledge of Gatsby
and Daisy’s relationship to a new situation.
Let’s practice!
Using The Great Gatsby, write a level 4 (Analysis) question, and explain how
it fits into level 4.
For example: Compare and contrast the women in Gatsby: Daisy, Jordan,
and Myrtle? is a level 4 question because it asks the reader to break down
information about the characters and find evidence to support
generalizations.
Using The Great Gatsby, write a level 5 (Synthesis/Creation) question, and
explain how it fits into level 5.
For example: Create an alternate ending where Gatsby is not murdered is a
level 5 question because it asks the reader to create a new ending.
Using The Great Gatsby, write a level 6 (Evaluation) question, and explain
how it fits into level 6.
For example: First, critique Tom’s character and then defend his actions is a
level 5 questions because it asks the reader to make judgments about Toms
character and actions.