Problems to Solve Decisions to Make

What skills do students need to be successful? Problem solving skills What resources do they have available Goals Objective Organize Social skills Intrinsic values Reading Initiative Understanding of what they are learning Character values Writing skills

Has anyone had any training or used it before?

Information Problem Solving Approach. It is about instruction--Teaching content. What Big6 is not: Big6 is not always about research. Big6 does not mean a big project.

Big6 Skills are: General approach to information problem solving to any problem in life Integrating information and technology Information problem solving process Operates on both general and specific levels Critical thinking skills hierarchy Transferable to all subject areas Non-linear, step-by-step process Individualizes instruction

Big6 #1 Task Definition The student demonstrates the ability to : Determine the information problem to be solved Reformulate a complete statement of the task Pick out key words embedded in a question Ask a good question Understand and follow printed and/or oral directions What is my question? What is the goal?

Big6 #2 Information Seeking Strategies The student demonstrates the ability to: Develop alternatives and to seek a variety of materials Determine which information is most/least important Recognize that information can be gathered from many sources, including investigation, observation, and human resources Use appropriate criteria for selecting sources What are my sources? How do I get information?

Big6 #3 Location and Access The student demonstrates the ability to: Determine what sources are available Independently gather resources Determine if the source is useable Access appropriate information systems, including online databases, online public access catalog, and electronic multimedia Where are the sources? Where do I find the information?

Big6 #4 Use of Information The student demonstrates the ability to: Distinguish facts from opinion Accurately and completely summarize/paraphrase the main idea from written and oral sources Accurately cite sources Read, listen, view, and touch carefully to acquire information How can we use the information? What are the possible solutions to the problem?

Big6 #5 Synthesis The student demonstrates the ability to: Organize information in clear, coherent presentations Present information in ways appropriate to the task Participate effectively in discussions and debates Produce personally designed products to communicate content What can I make to show what I have learned? Presenting information or product.

Big6 #6 Evaluation The student demonstrates the ability to: Demonstrate a high degree of confidence in the quality of the product produced Assess the product for completeness, strengths, and weaknesses Develop criteria to determine the effectiveness of the process used to solve the problem Provide recommendations to improve results Determine the need for further information How effective and efficient was the process? How will I know I’ve done well?

When do we use Big 6? Anytime you are teaching the Mathematics TEKS that require problem-solving.TEKS example: Where do you see math in nature? Anytime you are teaching the English Language Arts/Reading TEKS that require research.TEKS example: Is the rainforest a natural pharmacy? Anytime you are teaching the Science TEKS that require research or problem-solving.TEKS example: How can a food chain become broken? Anytime you are teaching the Social Studies TEKS that require problem-solving or decision-making.TEKS example: Why did some Texas towns become ghost towns?

Where can I get additional Big6 resources? S. C. Lee Library website/ Teacher ResourcesS. C. Lee Library website/ Teacher Resources. or