(It's Pirkei Avos time - I've been waiting to re-share this resource that teachers loved these last two years!)​
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I'm no food blogger. But when I serve my sesame noodles, I always get rave reviews plus a "Can I plzzz have the recipe?" text.
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My answer: "There are three ways you can make it. The easiest is equal parts soy sauce, oil, and sugar. To take it up a notch, add some toasted sesame oil or rice vinegar. And if you want the BEST way to make it - then I'm sending the full recipe in the next text..."
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Bloom's Taxonomy is a way to explain how we learn and understand new things. It's like a ladder with different steps, and each step helps us go higher and higher.

At the bottom of the ladder, we have the basic steps of remembering and understanding. (That's like my "equal parts of sugar, soy sauce and oil" recipe.)

Then, we have the middle steps, like applying and analyzing. That's when we use what we know to solve problems or think about things in a deeper way. (You can add some toasted sesame oil and rice vinegar to make it even better!)

At the top of the ladder, we have the ultimate levels, which are evaluating and creating. That's when we can think critically about what we know and use it to make something new or original. (That's like the noodles recipe with the irresistible 9 ingredient dressing. The best of the best!)

Now, unlike my sesame noodles, which are quite tasty even using the easiest recipe, with teaching we want to aim for the highest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. And when a student can create original work based on their learning, that is the BEST kind of learning.
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​Blooms Taxonomy is the #1 secret tool that every teacher needs to know about.

But I didn't just learn it for myself. I taught it to my students so they understood their own learning, too.

It totally changed how I prepared my lessons and when my students understood it, how they approached information being taught to them.
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To teach it to my students, I created a Pirkei Avos research project based on this model. I taught the students about the different levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and explained how the project connected to it.

The students picked a Mishnah, and then went through each of the six steps to really delve into the Mishnah, using the prompts I guided them with. They started with "remembering" and moved up the six steps of the ladder all the way through "creating" putting together a beautiful report on the Mishnah.
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The students were able to learn Pirkei Avos like never before and we compiled all their work into one printed and bound book which the students brought home for Shavuos to learn with their families.

And I know you're short on time. (Which teacher isn't?) I'm happy to share the project prompts with you so you can bring this idea to your classroom, too. ❤️

​EvergrowingEducator Pirkei Avos Model.pdf​

You can also use this guide as a questioning guide for yourself, even without having students research and create the project.
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And whether you teach Pirkei Avos or not, I hope you'll use Bloom's Taxonomy to help you - and your students.
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-Mushkie Lipsker
@EverGrowingEducator

PS: I'm happy to share the "ultimate" sesame noodles recipe, too. Just hit reply!
PPS: Was this email forwarded to you? Now that’s a great friend/boss/co-worker! Sign up for resources + classroom mindset here.​​
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