You are on page 1of 2

Bloom Taxonomy Strategy My Name is Asher Lev

Purpose of Strategy According to Blooms Taxonomy of Thinking Processes, there are six different levels of learning. Unfortunately, as teachers we often neglect teaching to all of the different learning levels. Most tests and homework assignments, for example, only assess students on the most basic thinking levels. This strategy is designed to help us as teachers remember in our unit plans to ask questions which help students think on each of Blooms levels. Rationale Generally, it isnt practical to have students think on all six levels of understanding within a single class period. But it is important that we help students think on every level in each unit we teach. Consequently, I suggest that teachers plan to ask questions from each of Blooms levels of understanding in their unit plans. Still, we must remember that students must first have an understanding on a basic level before they can think on higher levels. Example questions (from My Name is Asher Lev) Knowledge What is Ashers gift? What does Ashers father think about his gift? Where is the story set? Who is Ashers artist Mentor? List the some of the painters which influenced Ashers work. What causes Ashers mother to have a nervous breakdown? Comprehension Why are Ashers Brooklyn Crucifixions so significant? Explain what happens when Asher draws a picture of the Rebbe in his Chumash. Why is that so serious? Why does Asher begin drawing again? Application Asher creates his Brooklyn Crucifixions because he believes that crucifixion is the most intense image of human suffering. Do you think that image has changed today? Illustrate your own image of suffering.
Romrell, BYU 2002

Analysis Compare Ashers attitude to his fathers. What are their values, and how are those values different? How does Ashers mother compare to Asher and his father? How is Ashers attitude toward religion different from Jacob Kahns? Analyze the Rebbe and his role in the novel. How is the Rebbes attitude toward Ashers gift different from everyone elses? Synthesis What might have happened if Asher had gone to Europe with his father? Would his artistic career have unfolded the same way? If Stalin hadnt died, do you think Asher would have returned to his drawing? What kind of event might have sparked his gift had Stalin not died? There is a sequel to My Name is Asher Lev. What do you think it might be about? Do you think Asher will ever find balance between his gift, his family, and his religion? Why/Why not? Evaluation Though Asher is rebellious, selfish, and callous to the needs of his family and religion, he is still a sympathetic character. What do you think about Ashers behavior? Do you think he did the right thing? Asher is described as the orthodox Jewish artist in his show. Do you think Asher stays true to his religion, or does he ultimately compromise his beliefs through his painting? Assessment One of the problems with higher thinking questions is that they usually dont have single right answers. Consequently, Applications, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation answers arent as easy to grade as the Knowledge and Comprehension variety. Consequently, teachers should develop rubrics that define the factors of good answers such as originality, completeness, and organization. Then, students can know what is expected of them, and teachers can communicate their expectations.

Romrell, BYU 2002

You might also like