Formative Assessments and Bloom's Taxonomy

The chart below attaches some suggested formative assessments to Bloom's taxonomy.
This is part of an on-going discussion at Veritas about frequent and involuntary checking for understanding, and about being sure our learning targets are varied and appropriate.

Category	Key Words (verbs)	Formative Assessments
Knowledge: Recall data or information.	Key Words: define, describe, identify, label, list, match, name, outline, recall, recognize, reproduce, select, state.	Hand signals White boards Exit pass Admit slip Think-pair-share Response cards 3-2-1 card
Comprehension: Understand the meaning, translation, interpolation, and interpretation of instructions and problems. State a problem in one's own words.	Key Words: comprehend, convert, defend, distinguish, estimate, explain, extend, generalize, give an example, infer, interpret, paraphrase, predict, rewrite, summarize, translate.	Admit slip Exit pass Read-write-pair-share A tell B/B tell A Graphic organizer Confer-compose-clarify
Application: Use a concept in a new situation or unprompted use of an abstraction. Applies what was learned in the classroom into novel situations in the work place.	Key Words: apply, change, compute, construct, demonstrate, discover, manipulate, modify, operate, predict, prepare, produce, relate, show, solve, use.	Sticky notes Curated discussion Graphic organizer RAFT writing Confer-compose-clarify Crystal ball
Analysis: Separates material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood. Distinguishes between facts and inferences.	Key Words: analyze, break down, categorize, compare, contrast, diagram, deconstruct, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, illustrate, infer, outline, relate, select, separate.	Sticky notes Curated discussion Prioritized list (sticky) 3-2-1 card Exit pass Graphic organizer Confer-compose-clarify
Synthesis: Builds a structure or pattern from diverse elements. Put parts together to form a whole, with emphasis on creating a new meaning or structure.	Key Words: combine, compile, compose, create, devise, design, explain connections, generate, modify, organize, plan, rearrange, reconstruct, relate, reorganize, revise, rewrite, summarize.	Graphic organizer RAFT writing Exit pass Sticky notes
Evaluation: Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials.	Key Words: appraise, assess, conclude, criticize, critique, defend, describe, discriminate, evaluate,  interpret, justify, support.	Take a stand Prioritized list (sticky) Harkness discussion Value lineup Exit pass