The Big6™ Skills

The Big6™ Skills

The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages

solve an information problem.

1. Task Definition

1.1 Define the information problem

1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the information problem)

o What is my current task?

o What are some topics or questions I need to answer?

o What information will I need?

2. Information Seeking Strategies

2.1 Determine all possible sources (brainstorm)

2.2 Select the best sources

o What are all the possible sources to check?

o What are the best sources of information for this task?

3. Location and Access

3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)

3.2 Find information within sources

o Where can I find these sources?

o Where can I find the information in the source?

4. Use of Information

4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)

4.2 Extract relevant information

o What information do I expect to find in this source?

o What information from the source is useful?

5. Synthesis

5.1 Organize from multiple sources

5.2 Present the information

o How will I organize my information?

o How should I present my information?

6. Evaluation

6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)

6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

o Did I do what was required?

o Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?

Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2

Red Hook Central School District, Red Hook, NY

The Big6™ Skills

The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages solve an information problem.

1. Task Definition

1.1 Define the information problem

1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the

information problem)

o What is my current task?

o What are some topics or questions I need to

answer?

o What information will I need?

2. Information Seeking Strategies

2.1 Determine all possible sources (brainstorm)

2.2 Select the best sources

o What are all the possible sources to check?

o What are the best sources of information for this

task?

3. Location and Access

3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and

physically)

3.2 Find information within sources

o Where can I find these sources?

o Where can I find the information in the source?

4. Use of Information

4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)

4.2 Extract relevant information

o What information do I expect to find in this

source?

o What information from the source is useful?

5. Synthesis

5.1 Organize from multiple sources

5.2 Present the information

o How will I organize my information?

o How should I present my information?

6. Evaluation

6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)

6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

o Did I do what was required?

o Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?

Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2

Red Hook Central School District, Red Hook, NY

The Super3 contains the same basic elements as the Big6, but is written for

younger students to understand.

1. Plan - (Beginning)

When students get an assignment or a task, BEFORE they start

doing anything, they should think:

• What am I supposed to do?

• What will it look like if I do a really good job?

• What do I need to find out to do the job?

Big6 Steps:

• Task Definition

• Information Seeking Strategies

2. Do - (Middle)

In the Middle the students DO the activity. This is where they

read, view, tell, make a picture, etc.

Big6 Steps:

• Location and Access

• Use of Information

• Synthesis

3. Review - (End)

Before finishing the product and turning it in, students should

stop and think— Is this done?

• Did I do what I was supposed to do?

• Do I feel ok about this?

• Should I do something else before I turn it in?

Big6 Steps:

• Evaluation

Super3 information from http://academic.wsc.edu/redl/classes/tami/super3.html

created by Tami J. Little. Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2 Red Hook Central School District, Red

Hook, NY