Knowledge
- Christy Bass Adams
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Day 1, Bloom's Taxonomy
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity. Hebrews 6:1a (ESV)
Mr. N. was my sixth-grade math teacher. He came into class every morning and sat in his rolling chair behind his desk. After arranging his gradebook and finding the page to assign in his teacher’s edition, he rolled his chair to the side of his desk and leaned his body forward over the trashcan. Then he pulled a comb out of his pocket and beginning at the back of his head, brushed his hair forward, causing small spirals of hair to fall into the trashcan. After that, he scooted his chair back to the desk, stood up and walked to the chalkboard to write the assignment on the board. I don’t remember him teaching a single lesson. He’d write the pages and we did the work. There was no instruction on solving word problems, identifying key words, or higher order discussions. We were left to either complete the pages or receive a zero.
It’s sad that the most I remember about Mr. N.’s class is the way he combed loose hairs into the trashcan. It’s also sad that he never took the time to teach us anything. Sixth grade math is crucial for the evolution of algebraic thought in seventh through twelfth grades. Looking back, that year was the year I began digressing in math. Until then, I loved math, understood it, and excelled. But because Mr. N. left the learning up to us, all I gained was basic knowledge. I could do the work and get an answer but I couldn’t tell you how I did it or why.
As teachers, it’s vital that we begin topics at the Knowledge level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. In order to build on something conceptually, there must first be something there to build on. We must thoroughly and carefully introduce the facts in such a way that students can remember, rehearse, and regurgitate them. Here are some examples of questions a teacher might use at the knowledge level:
· List the names of the tribes who lived in the Northeastern region of Florida.
· Match the name and term of each of the first ten presidents of the United States.
· Arrange the events from the story we just read in sequential order.
· Recall the description of Jere’s house in the story and draw a picture of what it may have looked like.
· List the who, what, where, and when features of the text we just read.
These examples show how we might teach and assess students at the Knowledge level. Think about the “I do” part of the lesson plan. In order to move into deeper levels of mastery, there has to be a thorough explanation of facts. But as we know, facts are not enough. Many teachers are guilty of spoon feeding their students and never requiring more than the “I do”. Their brains are lazy and they only know how to copy what has been presented on the board. We must require more.
As we consider the classroom level of teaching, let’s also examine our spiritual level of teaching. Do we show up every Sunday and simply soak in the teaching? Are we loaded down with biblical knowledge? Can we win a Bible trivia contest, hands down? Is that as far as we have taken our walk with Christ, only head knowledge? What happens if all we do is learn facts but never apply them to our lives?
Do the Heart Work
1. How are you doing with teaching students the facts (basic knowledge) in your classroom? Do they quickly regurgitate what you teach? Can they perform at basic levels?
2. What happens to our students when all they hear is basic knowledge and they are never taught beyond this?
3. How deep is your walk with God? Are you stuck at the knowledge level?
Digging Deeper
The Bible is very clear about making sure we instruct others and gain proper knowledge about Him. Read and think about these verses.
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 (ESV)
2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)
3. My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Proverbs 6:20 (ESV)
4. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 (ESV)
5. Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165 (ESV)
Instruction, knowledge, and basic teaching are a requirement. We must have the basics or we will not have a foundation to stand on.
If You Get Spare Time
Think about the following questions and either pray through them or journal about them this week. Are your students solid on the core concepts for your subject? Can they list, recall, sequence, and define? If not, how can you present material in a way that fosters better retention of content?
Are you solid on the core concepts of Christ? Can you list, recall, sequence, and define key biblical concepts? If not, how do you need to change things up?
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