Getting to grips with Solo taxonomy.

I have just created my first specific assessment tool based around the Solo Taxonomy, and I'm rather pleased.

I have spent quite a lot of time getting my head around this , adapting for my own use, making a wall display (see earlier post) and deciding that the best way to use this would be through targeted activities with specific assessment sheets. Here it is, the topic is the rock cycle. Please not that this is not a traditional SOLO taxonomy as I have attempted to subdivide some of the categories.

So in planning for the first week back, I have seen a before, before after after ( See PEELWEB.ORG) activity that will elucidate the understanding of the students from the lesson. I have planned to do this as a group assessment. This will allow the students to discuss the SOLO taxonomy too, as it is there first exposure to it. I am intending to make the use of the SOLO taxonomy as key item of my learning agenda this year.

What has pleasantly surprised me was the speed at which I was able to write quality success criteria with built in progression. I hope it is as "clarifying" to my students thinking as it has been to mine. The criteria for the SOLO taxonomy really make it easy to do this. I have saved so much time it is easy for me to share it and write one for next weeks lesson!