Costa’s Levels of Thinking & Questioning

1. Costa’s Levels of Thinking & Questioning

2. LEVEL 1 - Book Only • The answer can be found in the text (either directly or indirectly). • Texts include books, lectures, or straight from the horse’s mouth. • This type of question is very concrete and pertains only to the text; it asks for facts about what has been heard or read. Information is recalled in the exact manner/form it was heard.

3. Level 1 Words - Book Only • Complete – to finish something • Define – to state the meaning of • List – to catalog or write down • Name - to appoint, mention or give title to • Select - to make a choice from a given option

4. LEVEL 2 - Book & Brain • The answer can be inferred from the text. • This type question, although more abstract than a level one question, still relies on the facts. With a level two question, the brain has to use the facts. Answers combine information in a new way. • Information can be broken down into parts; it involves examining in detail, analyzing motives or causes, making inferences, finding information to support generalizations or decision-making.

5. Level 2 Words - Book & Brain • Compare – to notice or point out the likeness of • Sort - to examine critically • Explain(why) – give a reason • Analyze – to examine • Synthesize - to combine • Sequence – to put in order

6. LEVEL 3 - Brain Only • The answer goes beyond the text. • This type of question is abstract and does not pertain directly to the text. These questions ask that judgments be made from information. They also give opinions about issues, judge the validity of ideas or other products and justify opinions and ideas.

7. Level 3 Words - Brain Only • Evaluate – to determine the value of • Predict – foretell; tell what you think will happen in advance • Imagine – to picture to ones self; think • Hypothesize - to make an educated guess based on your prior knowledge • Apply – to put in to practice/action • Judge – to estimate or decide

8. Group Activity

9. Practice • Name the elements that make up water. Level = 1 (naming) 2. What will California’s population be like in 2050 if we continue to grow as we have for the past ten years? Level = 3 (predict) • What is the definition of a trapezoid? Level = 1 (define)

10. Practice • Imagine that you were in the character’s position, how would you react? Level = 3 (imagine) 5. Distinguish one candidate’s platform from that of the other candidate. Level = 2 (compare) • Recite the Preamble of the US Constitution. Level = 1 (reciting)

11. Practice 7. What happened to the litmus paper when inserted in the liquid? Level = 1 (define/name – what happens) 8. Create an invention that uses at least three types of simple machines. Level = 3 (creating) • Analyze the characters intentions in the scene. Level = 2 (analyze)

12. Practice 10. Make a plan to complete your science fair project.Level = 3 (use your brain to plan)11. Evaluate the expression (3x +5) if x = -2 Level = 2 (evaluate)12. Applying the principles espoused in the 5th Amend. How would you decide the case of….. Level = 3 (infer, predict, judge)

13. Practice • Use four 4s and any math operational symbols to create expressions that equal the numbers 1-10. • Level = 2 (symbols exist, create) • 14. Explain how involvement in war impacts the economy. • Level = 2 (explaining) • Arrange the following number in order from smallest to largest. • Level = 1 (list)

14. Practice Your Turn! Directions: Create three questions for each of the topics 1. Measurement ( Science) Level 1 – Level 2 - Level 3 - 2. Short Story ( ELA) Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 3 – 3. PE agenda for TODAY’s Date Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 3 – H/W - Record your questions on lined paper.