1. 7 th Grade Big6 Project Assignment: Make a children’s informational book (It can be in graphic novel format or regular picture-book format)

2. 1. TASK DEFINITION The task you have is to individually create a children’s informational book. The task you have is to individually create a children’s informational book. This means that it doesn’t need to be very long or detailed, but it does need to have good, accurate information and pictures. This means that it doesn’t need to be very long or detailed, but it does need to have good, accurate information and pictures. With your teacher’s approval, pick a subject that interests you. With your teacher’s approval, pick a subject that interests you. Your book should be between 10-15 pages long, plus a one page simple bibliography (even the sites where you get your pictures should be included in the bibliography). Your book should be between 10-15 pages long, plus a one page simple bibliography (even the sites where you get your pictures should be included in the bibliography).

3. Each page should be numbered, have 1-5 sentences and a picture that goes along with the script. Typing the sentences will look much better than writing them. Each page should be numbered, have 1-5 sentences and a picture that goes along with the script. Typing the sentences will look much better than writing them. If you think through your options and act quickly, you should be able to finish this project at school. If you think through your options and act quickly, you should be able to finish this project at school. You should use the following to obtain your information: You should use the following to obtain your information: At least 1 Internet source At least 1 encyclopedia source At least 1 library book source You can use an expert person as a source You can use an expert person as a source You can use an informational magazine as a You can use an informational magazine as a source. source.

4. Do you understand what a graphic novel is? Let me show you some examples!

5. 2. INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES What information do you need to complete this project adequately? If you are not sure, a good way to begin is to write a list of questions that you think should be answered, then start looking them up. What information do you need to complete this project adequately? If you are not sure, a good way to begin is to write a list of questions that you think should be answered, then start looking them up. Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm). Think of all the possible sources of information that will help you answer the questions you wrote above. Consider library books, encyclopedias, and web sites such a Pioneer (remember the password this year is “time”), consider people who are experts in your subject, own observation of your subject, and free web sites and surveys. Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm). Think of all the possible sources of information that will help you answer the questions you wrote above. Consider library books, encyclopedias, and web sites such a Pioneer (remember the password this year is “time”), consider people who are experts in your subject, own observation of your subject, and free web sites and surveys. Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources). Now, look carefully at your list. Which ones are actually available to you and are easy for you to use? If there are some that you need help using, ask your teacher, librarian, mom or dad. Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources). Now, look carefully at your list. Which ones are actually available to you and are easy for you to use? If there are some that you need help using, ask your teacher, librarian, mom or dad.

7. 3. LOCATION AND ACCESS Locate sources. Figure out where you will get these sources. If it is a web site, list its web address. It you are using a book, get all the appropriate bibliography information. This will save you time later. Think of where this source is located in your library. If your source is a person, figure out how and when you will contact him or her and make a note of this. Locate sources. Figure out where you will get these sources. If it is a web site, list its web address. It you are using a book, get all the appropriate bibliography information. This will save you time later. Think of where this source is located in your library. If your source is a person, figure out how and when you will contact him or her and make a note of this. Now you will actually get the sources. If you don’t have time today, be ready to go directly to that resource when you come in the library next time. You may have to get each source and use it one at a time. If so, come back to this step to locate each source. Now you will actually get the sources. If you don’t have time today, be ready to go directly to that resource when you come in the library next time. You may have to get each source and use it one at a time. If so, come back to this step to locate each source. Access the information within sources. Now that you have the source in hand, how will you get to the information that you need? Remember the questions you want answers to. The sources that you choose will depends on the questions you want answered. Access the information within sources. Now that you have the source in hand, how will you get to the information that you need? Remember the questions you want answers to. The sources that you choose will depends on the questions you want answered.

8. Think (or even make a list) of words that will help you find information in all of your sources. These are called keywords. They are like synonyms and related words to your topic. Think (or even make a list) of words that will help you find information in all of your sources. These are called keywords. They are like synonyms and related words to your topic. When you have a book, look at the index or table of contents for your topic and keywords. When you have a book, look at the index or table of contents for your topic and keywords. When using an Encyclopedia use the index volume (usually the last volume in the set) for the topic and keywords. When using an Encyclopedia use the index volume (usually the last volume in the set) for the topic and keywords. When using the internet, use Web sites that are subscribed to by your library (such as Pioneer which includes World Book; this will help you save time and get accurate, safe information), type topic and keywords in the search box. This will help you; try them separately and some together. Ask for help if needed. When using the internet, use Web sites that are subscribed to by your library (such as Pioneer which includes World Book; this will help you save time and get accurate, safe information), type topic and keywords in the search box. This will help you; try them separately and some together. Ask for help if needed. Free web sites: use topic and keywords in subject directories. Free web sites: use topic and keywords in subject directories.

9. REMEMBER: The Big6 includes steps to help you be more effective (do well) and efficient (solve the problem quickly). If you follow these steps, you will get your desired results in the shortest amount of time possible. Spending six extra hours doesn’t always make it better! Some problems don’t need a lot of time to solve them; other projects take a great amount of time. Wasting time is not our goal! Think SMART! Write down all the information you need for a simple bibliography as you go. This will save you a lot of time later. Write down all the information you need for a simple bibliography as you go. This will save you a lot of time later.

10. 4. USE OF INFORMATION Engage in the source. Most likely you will need to read, listen, view or touch your source. You are really only looking for the information you need. You may not need to read, listen to, or view the entire sources. You may be able to skip around, finding subheadings and topic sentences (read the first sentences in each paragraph) that will take you to your information. Engage in the source. Most likely you will need to read, listen, view or touch your source. You are really only looking for the information you need. You may not need to read, listen to, or view the entire sources. You may be able to skip around, finding subheadings and topic sentences (read the first sentences in each paragraph) that will take you to your information. Take out the relevant information from a source. It’s time to take some notes. Consider using the Cornell note-taking technique. Take out the relevant information from a source. It’s time to take some notes. Consider using the Cornell note-taking technique.

11. Cornell Note Taking Main IdeasDetails

12. 5. SYNTHESIS Organize information from multiple sources. Decide how you will put together the information you took notes about and what ideas you want to add. You may: Write a rough draft Create an outline Create a storyboard Make a sketch You then need to put it in the required format for your presentation. In this case it is a children's book! Present the information and make sure that you follow your teacher’s guidelines.

13. Add value to the product by including your ideas along with the information you found in books, web sites, and other sources. Make sure that your final product or paper is more than just a summary of what you found in the other sources. Make it exciting. Color makes it more attractive! Produce a product that you would be proud for anyone to see. Remember your audience! Include a bibliography. This is an alphabetized list of your sources that includes necessary information (copyright, volume, page number, URL, etc.) Ask your teacher what he or she expects. If you don’t have a specific presentation assigned, decide which product will best suit your subject. You may give an oral presentation, make a PowerPoint or write a paper. You may decide to create a video or audio tape. Use technology if it is the best way to show the results of your information finding.

14. I will show you some examples of some finished products to give you some ideas as to what you can do:

15. 6. EVALUATION Judge your product (how effective were you). Before turning in your assignment, compare it to the requirements that your teacher gave you. Did you do everything and include all that was required for the assignment? Did you give credit to all of your sources used, written in the way your teacher requested? Is your work neat? Is your work complete and does it include heading information (your name, date, class period, etc.) Would you be proud for anyone to view this work? Judge your information problem-solving process (how efficient were you). Think about the actions that you performed as you were working on this assignment. Did you learn some things that you can use again?

16. What did you learn that you can use again? How will you use the skill(s) again? What did you do well this time? What would you do differently next time? What information sources did you find useful? You may be able to use them again. What information sources did you need but did not have? Be sure to talk to your librarian about trying to obtain them. Now that you have evaluated your project, turn it in on-time to your teacher. He or she will evaluate it as well. After you get it back, take time to notice the grade given and read the teacher comments. If it is not the grade you desired, think about what you could do differently next time.

17. Are there any questions before you begin? You should know the task already (#1). After you have completed steps #2 and #3 in the Big6, you can begin on step #4. Remember, you will only be back in the library one more day as a class before you go to the writing lab. Use your time wisely!