01 December 2012

Bloom's Buttons

Higher level questioning is on everyone's minds these days.  I knew I wanted to create something for Blooms, but just couldn't decide on how I wanted it to look in my classroom.  It's always been something I just do without even thinking.  I always gear my questioning toward higher level thinking, but don't necessarily tell my students where each question ranks on the Bloom's Hierarchy.

I've come up with a little something to incorporate more of the Bloom's language and questioning in my day to day classroom discussions.  We always have a read aloud for the week, whether it's from our reading adoption (Reading Street) or a trade book.  My plan is to use this form to teach the levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and then have them answer questions about the story at the different levels of Blooms.

My analogy will be when the shirt is fully buttoned, then you are fully dressed and ready to go.  And when you are able to answer all the button level questions, then you have a full or complete understanding of the story.

My plan is to have button breaks, where a student will randomly choose a colored button from a can. The color they choose will correspond to a Bloom's Button Card which contains a question  that corresponds to a particular level of Bloom's Taxonomy.  Some times I may have them answer the question independently, they could do this either orally or in a journal.  Other times they may try to answer the question with a buddy or a group.  The goal is to get them thinking about the story as well as their own thinking!!!



 These are the buttons that I'm using in my jar.  Nice and big.


Notice that the orange buttons are missing in the middle picture above.  Well, we had an uh oh, this evening.  My toddler decided to stick the orange buttons inside the skinny opening of my very expensive laminator.  Yikes, it was not fun finding a solution for that one!!!

 Here is an example of a few of the cards.
 

There are 9 questions for each of the 6 levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. There are also blank (editable) cards provided for you to add your own questions as you see fit.  There is also a black line master available of the Button Chart, if you would like to have your students color it in and then place it in a journal/notebook  to refer to throughout the year.  You can click the picture below to head on over to my teacher store.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blooms-Buttons-440161

Hope my students and possibly yours love their button breaks!!!

25 comments:

  1. This packet looks AMAZING. Off to check it out.

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  2. What a unique way to present it to the kids! I love the idea of going all the way to the top before you are ready to go--very cool!

    NotJustChild'sPlay

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  3. I absolutely LOVE this post! What a great way to make BLOOMS practical! I have seen the blooming Orange and the blooming peacock but your buttons are my favorite! Thanks for sharing! Hop on over and link up anytime!
    Happy Holidays!
    Julie
    Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe

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  4. I'm incredibly behind on blogging, so I'm just now seeing this. GENIUS! You are so creative!! Hope all is well and you enjoy the holidays! :)

    Jessica
    Mrs. Heeren's Happenings

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  5. I love this post!!! What a great idea. :) I hope you got your orange buttons back.
    Sara
    First Grade Funtastic

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  6. I love the buttons. This will help me keep varying the levels of questioning. Thanks for sharing.
    ~Clara @Teaching 365, First Grade Sunflowers and Ladybugs

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  7. On the bright side.... Your Totally Terrific daughter is GREAT as SORTING since she only put the orange ones in the laminator!

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    1. ..oops... I should have said "Totally Terrific SON"

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  8. how do I get to your store to buy this?

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  9. Hi.This is great. I love it. I am from Romania, Europe, second grade elementary teacher. I would like to buy it, but I can not use it because it is in english. Our language is hungarian and also romanian. But is great. Andrea Fulop, Romania

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  10. Where did you get the jar? I can't find the perfect size jar.

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  11. I actually found it at our local dollar store. I think it was called The Dollar Zone. I will have to see if they have more next time I go.

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  12. how do I download it?

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  13. Hi, wow these are fantastic. I came across this looking for something I can use in the classroom with my KG1 students during story time. I read somewhere that the levels were editable, how do I edit them for Low Level Thinking Skills use of Blooms, knowledge and comprehension? Many thanks

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    1. Hi Liz,
      There is a blank card included for each level of Blooms. The blank cards are editable, so you can add some of your own questions to the set. So, if you wanted to add more of the lower level questions and leave out some of the higher level questions, these editable cards will allow you to generate more questions at the lower levels of Blooms. Hope this helps.
      :) Colleen

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  14. Brilliant inspirational idea, Colleen, that gives some fresh breath to teaching/learning and motivates both students and teachers as well. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks so much for the sweet comment.
      You made my day!
      :) Colleen

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  15. Hello, I absolutely love your Blooms Buttons. Where did you buy the metal clasp / hoop key ring? I am trying to find them online to purchase but can only find the standard ones where you have to prise them open with your fingers. Was hoping to find one with a clasp to make life easier. Really hope to hear back from you with some advice. Many thanks and kind regards, Aimee.

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    1. Hi Aimee,
      I'm thrilled to hear you love the Bloom's Buttons! I used a binder ring to connect mine. I use binder rings for lots of things in the classroom, so I purchased an assorted pack from Office Depot. The link is below, in case you want to check it out.
      http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/429316/Office-Depot-Brand-Loose-Leaf-Rings/
      Hope this helps!
      Colleen

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  16. Hello Colleen, I would love to print the examples you use. I'm trying to make it work in belgium ;-). Can I find them on pdf somewhere?

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  17. Hi Colleen,

    Where can I find the large primary colored buttons?

    Thank you,
    Amy

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  18. Would you mind posting pics of how you use these in your classroom? I was wondering if you leave the card and responses up for the week. We always do an anchor chart that covers the basics and skills we are working on but I want to step it up a notch.

    Thank you,
    Melany

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    1. Hi Melany,
      I haven't blogged about my Bloom's Buttons recently, but I use them every day. I can definitely work on a new blog post.
      Thanks!
      Colleen

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  19. Hi. How do i go about purchasing your templates?

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    1. Hi Alison,
      You can take a look at them in my TPT store. Here is the link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blooms-Buttons-440161
      Thanks Bunches!
      Colleen

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