A Blooming Table 6 Steps to “Critical Thinking”

Benjamin Bloom theorized that there are 6 levels of thinking. 6. Synthesis 5. Evaluation 4. Analysis 3. Application 2. Comprehension 1. Knowledge

Level 1, KNOWLEDGE

Level 1- KNOWLEDGE (easy) Identify- to recognize ( Who is the main character?) Define- to explain the meaning of…(What is the definition of________?) List- series of #’s, words, or phrases…(List the main characters.) Describe- to tell or write about something…( Describe the setting.) Match- to pair up… (Match the word with its antonym.)

Level 2- COMPREHENSION (takes a little work) Understanding- to get the meaning of. (What is the main idea?) Interpreting- to understand or construe in a particular way. (Interpret the moral of the story.) Summarize- to sum up all the info in your own words. ( Summarize Act 2, Scene 1 of “Anne Frank.”) Paraphrase- when you summarize an article in your own words. Paraphrasing prevents plagiarism. (Paraphrase lines 2-6 in “The Raven.”)

Level 2- COMPREHENSION cont. Translate- to decipher the meaning of language. ( Translate “hola”.) Predict- to think ahead in the story and explain what you think will happen. Illustrate- to make clear and explain by pictures, graphics, or stories. (Illustrate the passage as a comic strip.)

Level 3, APPLICATION (a little harder) Apply- putting forth effort and putting to use or operation Connect- to link to a story….(Connect with a characters situation and explain his or her actions.) Solving- to find the answer to…(1 + 1 x 3= ?) Dramatize- to show or express in a dramatic way…(the Anne Frank story was dramatized….I could ask you to: Dramatize an Edgar Allan Poe story.) Interview- to meet people and ask questions….(If you could meet Hitler, write 3 questions that you would ask him in an interview.

Level 4, ANALYSIS (8 th grade level) Organizing- to put into working order. (Organize the information from least to greatest.) Categorize- put into order by classification Compare- to show ONLY similarities. Contrast- to show ONLY differences. Distinguish- telling apart or recognizing differences. ( Distinguish between France and Germany) Sequence- put into an order of succession…(patterns). (Sequence the main events.)

Level 4, ANALYSIS, cont. Classify- arrange in groups. ( Classify each animal.) Infer- find out by process of reasoning from something known or assumed. (Infer the meaning of the word “______” as used in the sentence.) Conclude- the end. (Draw conclusions about a story.)

Level 5, Evaluation (8 th grade level) Defend- to guard against; back up your answer. (Defend the author’s Point of View.) Prioritize- to put one thing ahead of another depending on order of importance. (Decide which information is most accurate.) Decide- to make up one’s mind. (Decide which answer is most accurate.) Critique- Making a judgment. (Critique a piece of art.) Value- real worth of something….or….what’s really important to you.

Level 5, EVALUATION, cont. Assess-to examine critically and estimate the value of your knowledge. Discriminate- to make or see a difference. (How did Hitler discriminate against Jews?) Support- to back up with detailed information. (Support your answer with details from the story.)

Level 6, SYNTHESIS (8 th grade and above) Synthesis- to make something. (Compose, Invent, Create, Design, Build, Construct) Plan- way of making or doing something that has been worked out before hand. Hypothesize- to make an educated guess. Generalize- put into one summed up statement. ( Generalize Hitler’s Point of View on the Jews.)