The document introduces SOLO taxonomy, which divides knowledge into five levels - pre-structural, uni-structural, multi-structural, relational, and extended abstract. Each level represents a different depth of understanding. An example using the question "What do you know about football?" demonstrates how a response could progress from the pre-structural level of hardly any knowledge to the extended abstract level of making connections and adding new insights. The document suggests SOLO taxonomy can help assess understanding and determine next steps for learning.

1. To understand what SOLO
taxonomy is.
I can identify
the basics of
SOLO
taxonomy
I can describe
what SOLO
taxonomy is and
understand the
various levels
I can analyse how
SOLO taxonomy could
be helpful to my
learning.

2. SOLO Taxonomy
A simple method of developing a deeper
understanding about a topic.
Allows your thinking to go beyond that topic
into other areas.
Shows you what to do next if you’re stuck.
Great for peer assessment.
(It’s amazing).

3. SOLO taxonomy levels
SOLO taxonomy divides knowledge into five
levels. Each level has a picture representing it.
Pre-structural
Uni-structural
Multi-structural
Relational
Extended Abstract

4. SOLO taxonomy levels
I’m now going to explain the levels to you, using
an example question:
What do you know about football?
Please write down notes about the levels on
your sheets provided.

5. Pre-structural – hardly any knowledge
What do you
know about
football?
What’s
football?

6. Uni-structural – you know something
about the topic – but not a lot
What do you
know about
football?
Players kick a
football
around.

7. Multi-structural – you have a number of
ideas
What do you
know about
football?
It’s a game played
between two teams,
they use a football and
it’s played on a pitch.

8. Relational – you have a number of ideas
and can make links between them
What do you
know about
football?
It’s a game of skill played between
two teams of 11 players on a grass
pitch. The idea is to score more goals
that your opposing team, whilst
trying not to concede any goals. The
11 players play in different positions,
and a manager or coach decides the
teams tactics.

9. Extended Abstract - Relational – you have a number of ideas, can make
links between them and can add some new or extended thinking.
What do you
know about
football?
It’s a game of skill played between
two teams of 11 players on a grass
pitch. The idea is to score more goals
that your opposing team, whilst
trying not to concede any goals. The
11 players play in different positions,
and a manager or coach decides the
teams tactics.
Knowing each team’s strengths
and weaknesses, such as
players injured, suspensions or
current form could help you
predict the result of a match.

10. SOLO sort activity
I’m going to give you some printed off examples of
SOLO taxonomy knowledge about topics you know
about.
In small groups I want you to read, discuss and
place the examples next to the correct SOLO
taxonomy level.
Are you confident to do this? Any questions before
we start?

11. Task
What is your understanding of SOLO taxonomy?
Write a paragraph explaining SOLO taxonomy
and explain if you think it will be useful.

12. Task
Now swap work with the person next to you.
Read their work and assess what their
knowledge of SOLO is, based on the SOLO levels.