Bloom's Taxonomy for Art - Art Criticism - Higher Order Thinking Skills

Blooms Taxonomy and the Arts

Benjamin Bloom (1956) developed a classification of levels of intellectual behavior in learning. This taxonomy contained three overlapping domains: the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective. Within the cognitive domain, he identified six levels: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. These domains and levels are still useful today as you develop the critical thinking skills of your students.

Adapted from Dawn Steinecker's Triangle Chart

See Bloom's Revised Taxonomy (Archive - Revised by Lorin Anderson)

Classroom critiques use Bloom's Higher Order Thinking Skills - See these sample questions by Craig Roland.

Bloom's Taxonomy Pyramid (above) showing the highest level of thinking at the top and working its way down. Note that "Creating" is the majority of thinking done in the fine arts. Evaluating and analyzing comes from art criticism, applying is using what you learn in your art. Understanding is understanding the various art styles, periods, and using that in your art. Finally, remembering the art elements and principles of design.

Helpful links for Bloom's Taxonomy

See Blooms' Taxonomy Revised- This page includes PowerPoints on Blooms.
Blooms Resources (Posters and Handouts) Free downloads - You can download free handouts with questions according to Bloom. This site includes other educational thinking resources in New Zealand.
Blooms Taxonomy of Learning Domains - This page lists the three learning domains and incorporates Blooms in each category.
Blooms for visual learners - With graphics
Learning Skills Program - Bloom's Taxonomy - nice concise listing.
Kinetic connections: Bloom's taxonomy in action -
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/bloom.html
From Liberty Center Schools - Bloom's Taxonomy for Educators (Archive - see most links) http://www.libertycenter.k12.oh.us/hinton/Teacher/bloom.htm
Applying Bloom's Taxonomy - With sample questions and activities.
Critical and Creative Thinking - Lists higher order verbs and links.
Pearltree's Critical Thinking - This is an excellent interactive site and a must-see for teachers. The page includes Socratic questioning, foundations for critical thinking, flow charts and videos.
Answering Questions using Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning Domains - A summary of the domains and a collection of pertinent links.

BLOOM'S TAXONOMY FOR ART

What is your opinion of the painting?
Why?
Evaluation

What ways would you render the subject differently?
Synthesis

Explain what you think the artist is trying to
say about the subject matter.
Analysis

If you could interview the artist, what
questions would you ask?
Application

What is the subject or theme?
Understanding

Describe the painting.
Knowledge

Attributes of the ARTS and higher level thinking:

• Creative problem solving/Thinking outside the box

• Supports interpersonal relations/attitudes/emotions

• Questions/challenges/accepts/values

• Contributes/shares/volunteers/attempts

• Defends/judges/disputes/joins

• Appreciates identity/praises/supports

ART CRITICISM LINKS TO USE WITH YOUR STUDENTS:

Successful Art Class Critique – by Marvin Bartel
http://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/critique1.html
Student Handout – by Marvin Bartel
http://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/critiqueform.html

How to Read a Painting by Will Hanson [Archive]
http://www.kcsd.k12.pa.us/~projects/critic/

ARTiculation (designed for middle school – but adaptable) [Archive]
http://articulation.kcjenkins.com/

What is Art? What is an Artist? Sweet Brian College – by Chris Witcombe
http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/artartists/artartists.html

Eyes on Art – A Learning to Look Curriculum by Tom March
http://ozline.com/webquests/art2/

Art Crimes - cautionary tales of art criticism gone too far (Aesthetic issues – valuing art)
http://www.graffiti.org/

Sample Art Criticism Final Exam (Middle school level - adaptable to high school)

See It's the Thought that Counts - A copy of a handout from Craig Roland's session on “Teaching Thinking in the Art Classroom” presented at the National Art Education Association Conference in New York on March 16, 2001. Has links to two PDF files linked on that page.