Horton Hatches the Egg Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss

Parker Swanson

2/6/07

Bloom’s Taxonomy Questions

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Horton Hatches the Egg written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss

Published by Random House, Inc., New York

For 1st or 2nd grade reading levels, but to be enjoyed by all

Summary:

When lazy bird Mayzie grows tired and bored of sitting on her nest to hatch an egg, she asks the friendly elephant Horton to take over her role. Reluctantly but kindly, Horton accepts the job, promising his faithfulness, not knowing it will turn into a long term commitment. Promising a quick return, Mayzie leaves Horton with the egg for 51 weeks up in a tree, perched there through wind, rain, and snow. Faithful Horton keeps his word through it all, and even stays atop the tree with the egg when hunters decide to take him back to New York City. Mayzie coincidently sees her egg hatching and demands the egg is hers, but the baby knows who the true mother is.

BLOOM’S QUESTIONS:

I. KNOWLEDGE:

Why did Mayzie ask Horton to stay on her nest?

Explanation:

This is a question that requires an exhibition of previously learned material by recalling a basic concept about the story. The reader needs to know why Mayzie left her nest to understand what follows. The reason why she left is listed early in the story, and is a key fact.

II. COMPREHENSION:

How would you compare or contrast Mayzie and Horton?

Explanation:

This question helps to demonstrate an understanding of main ideas in the story by comparing two very different characters. Readers need to comprehend the differences between Mayzie and Horton to understand what happens when the egg hatches.

III. APPLICATION:

What would result if Horton would have gotten tired and lazy and left the egg unattended?

Explanation:

This question allows the reader to look at a new problem and its possible solutions. Readers should apply acquired knowledge to attempt to solve this problem.

IV. ANALYSIS:

What evidence can you find that shows why an elephant-bird hatched out of the egg instead of just a regular bird like Mayzie?

Explanation:

By breaking the information down, the reader can identify causes. This question allows the reader to look into Horton’s role in sitting on the egg, and therefore, what caused the end result.

V. SYNTHESIS:

Can you predict the outcome if Mayzie would have stayed with her egg the whole time until it hatched, acting as faithful as Horton did?

Explanation:

Information is compiled in a different wayby proposing an alternative solution. If the reader looks at why the egg hatched into an elephant-bird, the reader should be able to imagine what would have happened if no elephant were involved, and the bird acted as a loving parent throughout the whole hatching process.

VI. EVALUATION:

Why was it better that the egg hatched into an elephant-bird, instead of a regular bird like Mayzie?

Explanation:

This question allows the reader to present and defend their opinion by making judgments about the validity of the main idea of the story based on a set of criteria. This question asks the reader to make judgments about the importance of a loving mother.