SOLO (structure of observed learning outcomes) taxonomy is a model of learning that classifies depth of understanding into categories.

The symbols represent how each level builds on the previous. You can’t jump to understanding something relationally until you understand it multistructurally.  For each lesson, teachers write an objective for each of the steps which are shared with the children at the start of each lesson. The aim is for all children to achieve relational or extended abstract but for some children this may be over a sequence of lessons. All of the SOLO objectives for each of the levels start with a SOLO verb. This supports teachers in ensuring the activity for each objective meets the intended outcome and supports the children in.

All of the SOLO objectives for each of the levels start with a SOLO verb. This supports teachers in ensuring the activity for each objective meets the intended outcome and supports the children in understanding how to attain the objective.

SOLO strips are stuck at the top of the children’s book in History, Geography, Science, R.E and Art. 

Children self-assess the level that they achieved by circling the symbol. Teachers assess the children’s work for the lesson by highlighting the written objective.  

Why do we use SOLO taxonomy?  

• Increases the quality and complexity of children’s thought 

• Establishes clear learning objectives to provide teachers and students with concise directives for achieving  

• Enables learners of all abilities to engage in learning  

• Creates assessment criteria that eventually  children learn to self-assess against and challenge themselves to deepen their understanding