The Big6!
What are the six steps of The Big6?
#1. Task Definition
Ask yourself, what are you trying to find out? What will you need to answer this question/solve this task?
#2. Information Seeking Strategies
To find out what I need to know, what sources can I use? Researchers consult a variety of resources, such as: books, online resources videos, podcasts, interviews, field trips, etc.)
#3. Location & Access
Now that you know what you want, where do you find them? You might be able locate these resources, or you might need help from you school librarian, teacher, parent, or even a fellow student. Resources can be found and accessed at school, online, at home, or somewhere else in the community. **See "Classroom Pages" on this site for handpicked web resources, "CPS Library Databases" for online resources, and "SOAR" to browse our NPS Library print resources and ebook collection.**
#4. Use of Information
How are you collecting your information? You might use your Big6 research notebook to take notes, or maybe you will use GoogleDocs to take notes. You might be sure to have a recording device for your interview resource. Graphic organizers, such as Mind Maps, are also a great idea to collect your information. Finally, don't forget to keep track of the sources you are using-- you will want to make sure you have the source's 1) title, 2) author, 3) copyright date, 4) pages used. If you were using a website you would need to record: 1) the address, 2) title of web source, 3) date accessed.
#5. Synthesis
Now that I've collected my sources and extracted the information, I am ready to put it all together! How will you present what you've learned? Will you write a speech? Create a Power Point? Write a paper? Make sure you include your cited sources! Some other things to consider: will you need any special materials for your presentation? Also important to remember: when is this project due? Have you looked over the rubric or checklist to make sure you've included all expected components?
#6. Evaluation
Once you're finished with your presentation, congratulations! You successfully completed the first five steps of The Big6! There is only one step left--and that is when you take time to reflect on the process. Some questions you might ask yourself: Did you answer your original question? In Step #3, did you seek out the sources you had planned in Step #2, and did you use them in Step #4? Did you remember to cite all of your sources? How could you improve your presentation for next time?
#1. Task Definition
Ask yourself, what are you trying to find out? What will you need to answer this question/solve this task?
#2. Information Seeking Strategies
To find out what I need to know, what sources can I use? Researchers consult a variety of resources, such as: books, online resources videos, podcasts, interviews, field trips, etc.)
#3. Location & Access
Now that you know what you want, where do you find them? You might be able locate these resources, or you might need help from you school librarian, teacher, parent, or even a fellow student. Resources can be found and accessed at school, online, at home, or somewhere else in the community. **See "Classroom Pages" on this site for handpicked web resources, "CPS Library Databases" for online resources, and "SOAR" to browse our NPS Library print resources and ebook collection.**
#4. Use of Information
How are you collecting your information? You might use your Big6 research notebook to take notes, or maybe you will use GoogleDocs to take notes. You might be sure to have a recording device for your interview resource. Graphic organizers, such as Mind Maps, are also a great idea to collect your information. Finally, don't forget to keep track of the sources you are using-- you will want to make sure you have the source's 1) title, 2) author, 3) copyright date, 4) pages used. If you were using a website you would need to record: 1) the address, 2) title of web source, 3) date accessed.
#5. Synthesis
Now that I've collected my sources and extracted the information, I am ready to put it all together! How will you present what you've learned? Will you write a speech? Create a Power Point? Write a paper? Make sure you include your cited sources! Some other things to consider: will you need any special materials for your presentation? Also important to remember: when is this project due? Have you looked over the rubric or checklist to make sure you've included all expected components?
#6. Evaluation
Once you're finished with your presentation, congratulations! You successfully completed the first five steps of The Big6! There is only one step left--and that is when you take time to reflect on the process. Some questions you might ask yourself: Did you answer your original question? In Step #3, did you seek out the sources you had planned in Step #2, and did you use them in Step #4? Did you remember to cite all of your sources? How could you improve your presentation for next time?