REACTS+Taxonomy

**A Taxonomy of Research Reactions** ** R  ** ecalling Level 1 ** E  ** xplaining Level 2 ** A  ** nalyzing Level 3 ** C  ** hallenging Level 4 ** T  ** ransforming Level 5 ** S  ** ynthesizing Level 6 = RECALLING – LEVEL 1  =  · Recalling and reporting the main facts discovered  · Making no attempt to analyze the information or reorganize it for comparison purposes ** Verbs:  ** arrange; cluster; define; find; identify; label; list; locate; match; name; recall; recount; repeat; reproduce; select; sort; state ** Example Assignments:  **  · __ Select __ 5-10 accomplishments of the person you have researched. Produce a “Hall of Fame” (or “Hall of Shame”) poster with your biographee’s photocopied picture and list of accomplishments.  · After your class adopts a second- or third-grade class, write a letter to your assigned student __recounting__ five interesting facts you discovered in your research.  · __ List __ five “Do’s and Dont’s” about a social issue that you have researched.  · __ Find __ facts about your subject for each category determined by the class. Contribute your facts to the “Fact File” on your class’s web page.  · __ Select __ pictures from discarded magazines, make photocopied pictures, or find appropriate pictures on the Web to produce a collage or picture essay that portrays your researched subject.  · Based on your research, __state__ five questions a television reporter might ask if he/she were preparing a feature news story on your subject. Answer the questions. (Students could work in pairs; their interviews could be videotaped.)  · __ Arrange __ words important to your research in a crossword puzzle.  · __ Define __ key words about your research subject. Embed hot links in your Web page to your definitions in a class glossary page. = EXPLAINING – LEVEL 2  =  · Recalling and restating, summarizing, or paraphrasing information  · Finding example, explaining events or actions  · Understanding the information well enough to be able to put it in a new context ** Verbs:  ** apply; cite; complete; convert; demonstrate; describe; document; dramatize; emulate; estimate; expand; explain; expound; express; generalize; give example; illustrate; imagine; paraphrase; portray; prepare; present; produce; propose; restate; review; search; show; solve; speculate; summarize; support; survey; translate; use ** Example Assignments:  ** __ Dramatize __ a particularly exciting event associated with your research in an on-the-spot report. __ Illustrate __ important features about your research by using clip art or a computer drawing program. Write and __present__ a CNN News report about a particular event or person you researched. Keep a journal in which you __present__ your reactions, thoughts, and feelings about your research. __ Show __ the events of your research on a map and explain the importance of each event.  · __ Complete __ each of the following statements based on your research: My research made me wish that. . . ; realize that. . . ; decide that. . . ; wonder about. . . ; see that. . . ; believe that. . . ; feel that. . . ; hope that. . . .  · Cut out newspaper or magazine ads that would have interested an historical figure you have researched. __Explain__ their importance to the historical figure.  · __ Express __ the interests and accomplishments of an historical figure you have researched through a fictional diary mounted on your class’s Web page. __Portray__ your figure’s characteristics by linking to Web sites that would have been important to your person’s life and work. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l46 level1 lfo13; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Prepare __ a job application or resume for a person you have researched. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l32 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Keep an explorer’s log book to __express__ your impressions as you investigate the sights and way of life in another country through research.
 * REACTS TAXONOMY**

** ANALYZING – LEVEL 3  ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l32 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Breaking a subject into its component parts (causes, effects, problems, solutions) <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l51 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Comparing one part with another ** Verbs:  ** analyze; apply; arrange; associate; break down; categorize; change; characterize; classify; compare; compile; construct; contrast; correlate; diagram; differentiate; discover; discriminate; dissect; distinguish; divide; examine; experiment; extend; group; infer; interpret; manipulate; map; modify; organize; outline; plan; question; reconstruct; relate; represent; revise; rewrite; scrutinize; select; separate; sequence; sift; simplify; solve; transplant; uncover; utilize; verify ** Example Assignments:  ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo15; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Create a timeline for the events which led up to the situation you researched. __Correlate__ social, political, religious, educational, technological events. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l44 level1 lfo16; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Transplant __ an event or famous person from one time period, country, or ecological system to another time or place. Explain the changes that would occur. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l31 level1 lfo17; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Construct __ a carefully organized Web page to examine a social issue. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo18; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Characterize __ your researched historical person in an obituary which makes clear his/her role in the conflicts of the day. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l20 level1 lfo19; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Compare __ your lifestyle and neighborhood to those of people living in the time you have researched. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo20; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Write a letter to the editor __scrutinizing__ a local issue. Support your opinions with specific details from your research. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo21; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Rewrite __ an historical event from two different points of view. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo22; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Write a recipe for an historical event by researching, __analyzing__ to pick out the main ingredients, and __sequencing__ them in order with mixing instructions. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l52 level1 lfo23; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Organize __ and create a travel brochure (on paper or on the Web) to attract visitors to the place or time period you have researched. Include all information that one would need to know plus fascinating details that would draw visitors. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l45 level1 lfo24; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Use a graphic organizer to __outline__ the main ideas of your subject visually, showing relationships between ideas and supporting points.

= CHALLENGING – LEVEL 4  = <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l51 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Making critical judgments about subject based on internal or external standards <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l51 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · (Standards may be student’s own, or teacher or class may decide criteria. “I didn’t like it” or “I don’t believe it” are not enough) ** Verbs:  ** appraise; argue; assess; compare; criticize; debate; defend; determine; discriminate; evaluate; grade; investigate; judge; justify; modify; prioritize; rank; rate, refute; review; support; value; weigh ** Example Assignments:  ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo25; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Produce a __critical__ review (of a book, movie, or play) which can be printed in a local paper or aired on local television or radio stations. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l39 level1 lfo26; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Act as an attorney and __argue__ to punish or acquit an historical character or a country for a crime or misdeed. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l26 level1 lfo27; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Determine __ as a movie producer whether or not to make a film of an actual historical event, with justification for the decision. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l18 level1 lfo28; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Defend __ your judgment that a research subject (if it is an invention, machine, or some other item or document) should be placed in a time capsule to be dug up in 100 years. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo29; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Judge __ the merits of a researched subject by conducting a mock trial. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo53; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Debate __ the issues of a controversial research topic with a classmate who researched the same topic. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l25 level1 lfo30; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Evaluate __ the information available in print and electronic format on your topic, based on clear evaluation criteria. Compile an annotated bibliography of valuable sites and sources. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo31; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Investigate __ a societal problem. Prepare a report card on the issue that assigns a grade for each proposed or attempted solution (look at the cost, feasibility, probable success, ease of implementation). Justify your grades. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l49 level1 lfo32; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Evaluate __ the accuracy of an historical or teen-problem novel by comparing the “factual” information in the novel with the facts you discover through research. __Refute__ the nonfactual information in a letter from “Dear Abby.” <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l24 level1 lfo33; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Using a job evaluation form, __rate__ a public person’s performance of his/her job based on your research. Justify your ratings. Create an editorial cartoon about your researched subject that makes clear your __judgment__ about the subject.

** TRANSFORMING – LEVEL 5  ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l51 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Bringing together more than one piece of information, forming own conclusion, and presenting that conclusion in a creative new format ** Verbs:  ** blend; build; combine; compile; compose; conclude; construct; convince; create; decide; design; develop; dramatize; elaborate; express; forecast; formulate; generate; imagine; modify; persuade; plan; predict; pretend; produce; propose; revise; speculate; structure ** Example Assignments:  ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l21 level1 lfo34; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Design __ and __produce__ a television commercial or a whole advertising campaign that presents your research results to the class. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo35; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Create __ a board game that incorporates the major conclusions you reached about your researched subject. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo36; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Write a poem or short story that __expresses__ your new knowledge or insight. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo37; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Dramatize __ a famous historical event. The dramatization should make clear your interpretation of the event. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l17 level1 lfo38; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Predict __ your reaction to your research subject as a resident of the future. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l43 level1 lfo39; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Compose __ a speech that an historical person might deliver about a present-day national issue. __Compose__ a speech that a current public person might deliver about an historical issue. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo40; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Become a person in the historical era you have researched; __elaborate__ from that perspective about a specific event, problem, invention, scientific theory, or political situation in a letter to someone. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l34 level1 lfo41; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Predict __ what your researched person would take on a trip. __Design__ the itinerary. Pack that person’s suitcase and present each item to the class with an explanation of significance. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo42; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Research a specific event, person, or aspect of the culture of an historical or modern era. Write and __produce__ a segment for a morning news show on your topic. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l40 level1 lfo43; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Pretend __ you are living in a particular place or historical era. Research a subject that is important to that time or place. __Develop__ a newspaper or magazine article about that subject as though you were living there. Work with your classmates to produce the entire newspaper or magazine. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l37 level1 lfo44; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Design __ a hypermedia program or a Web page about your researched subject that allows others to follow several different paths through your information. = SYNTHESIZING – LEVEL 6  = <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l51 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Creating an entirely original product based on a new concept or theory ** Verbs:  ** build a model program; create; design; develop; devise; generate; hypothesize; invent; propose; theorize ** Example Assignments:  ** <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l47 level1 lfo45; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Develop __ a model program to address a social problem that you have researched. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo46; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Invent __ a new animal; explain its effect on other animals and on the environment. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l23 level1 lfo47; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Create __ a new country and __hypothesize__ about the change in the balance of power in the world. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo48; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Design __ a new building, machine, process, experiment based on theories developed from your research. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo49; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Develop __ proposed legislation to address national, state, or local issues. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo50; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Devise __ an ethical code for present-day researchers or scientists which could regulate their activities in a particular field. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo51; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Develop __ a community project that addresses an issue of local concern. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l42 level1 lfo52; tab-stops: list .25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · __ Design __ and carry out a science project that builds on the previous knowledge that you have discovered through research and tests a new concept or theory.

Barbara Stripling and Judy Pitts // Brainstorms and Blueprints: Teaching Library Research as a Thinking Process //