knowledge questions

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knowledge questions
By Carolyn

Maybe you are trying to move your kids up the ladder of Bloom's Taxonomy too quickly. Kids really have to start off with the knowledge level. They really do have to know the facts pretty well before they are ready to move
on to comprehension, application, analysis, etc. I teach fifth grade, and I am currently teaching the kids about cells. Without knowing the cell parts and their functions, for example, I know they would not be able to do a very good job of describing the "whys" about cells or to compare and contrast cells.
I know what you mean about the kids wanting answers RIGHT THERE. You will

have to explain to them the strategies for information seeking, as well as inferential thinking and other higher level thinking skills. Explain that some information is right there. For example: What is a cell? They can find that information where the bold-faced word is. If I go beyond the information which is stated directly in the book, I make a point of telling the kids that they are "ON YOUR OWN." They will have to think carefully about the answers, since they are not stated directly in the book. They really need to be trained to tell the difference. Even in fifth grade.