1. BIG 6: THE INFORMATION LITERACY SOLUTION Mandy Dempsey and Kathryn Stephenson

2. The Problem  Inquiry Process I-Search Building Blocks of Research Savvy 7 Flip It Research Cycle  Eight Ws

3. What’s a teacher to do? What method should YOU choose?

4. Never Fear BIG 6 IS HERE!

5. What is Big 6? Big 6 is:  An information literacy curriculum  An information problem-solving process  A set of skills which provide a strategy for effectively and efficiently meeting information needs

6. Why Should I Use Big 6?  Big6 uses a multi-level approach so students can develop competency in information problem-solving and decision-making that will carry forward into lifelong, useable skills (  Big6 integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks (Robinson 11)  Big6 skills are not taught in isolation, but within context, current curriculum, and everyday experiences.  Big6 can be applied as a thinking process to deal with most problems and therefore can be applied consistently and repeatedly throughout the learning program, thereby increasing a student’s chances of learning it” (Hughes 28)

7. Big 6 Student Benefits Students will:  Learn transferable planning and organizing skills they will be able to apply for a lifetime  Find, sort, and apply relevant, credible information to creatively solve a problem.  Prepare a solution based on reliable information, and give proper credit to information sources.  Achieve results using any individual learning style. Students will consider if their current style and approach works well for problem solving.  Understand general problem-solving concepts and then refine each skill to learn and perfect specific details

8. Big 6 Teacher Benefits  Adaptable: Your current units and lessons can be framed within the Big6 context. Big6 compliments standards-based curriculum, and has terminology to fit student learning in grades K-12 and beyond.  Flexible: Emphasize one Big6 skill or all Big6 skills throughout a school year, based on needs in your school, time and resources available, and library/classroom partnership.  Collaboration: Big6 facilitates communication among administrators, classroom teachers, and teacher-librarians. The Big6 is useful when you need to coordinate cross-curricular projects.  Training: Big6 Trainers are professional, in-school educators. Big6 workshops are tailored to meet your local needs, and the Big6.com website resources provide ongoing support.

9. The Big 6 Steps Task Definition Information Seeking Strategies Location and Access Use of Information Synthesis: Putting it all Together Evaluation

10. Uses/Integration into Curriculum

11. Lessons/Examples

12. Support for teaching Big 6  http://www.big6.org offers teachers a vast array of teaching support and staff development including: http://www.big6.org  Using Big6 in all content areas such as Language Arts, Math, Music, Science, Social Studies, and Special Needs.  Free resources such as graphic organizers, note taking, activity pages, and more.  Information on workshops, grants for training, and webinars.

13. Just For Fun  Teachers, engage your students before you begin with the Big 6 song!  http://www.big6.com/2006/12/10/sing-a-song-of-research-turning-the- big6-into-a-tune/ http://www.big6.com/2006/12/10/sing-a-song-of-research-turning-the- big6-into-a-tune/

14. Conclusion

15. Works Cited