Puzzled by Inquiry?
Try the Big 6 Method!
What is the Big 6?
Six steps to help you solve problems
or make decisions.
Task Definition
Information Seeking Strategies
Location and Access
Use of Information
Synthesis
Evaluation
When The Big 6 are
used Correctly…
Click for a video overview of The Big 6
Why the Big 6?
“Guided Inquiry is a preparation for lifelong
learning, not just preparation for a test”
(Caspari, Kuhlthau, & Maniotes, 2007, p. 4).
• 21st century learning requires Guided
Inquiry
• Big 6 steps are a Guided Inquiry process
used in daily life
Big 6 in the Real World
Implementing The Big 6
Planning Team
Team Leader: School Library Media Specialist
Staff Support: Administrators
Record Keeper: Curriculum Coordinator
Content Specialists & Big 6 Promotion Crew:
One teacher from each content area:
Math Teacher
Science Teacher
Social Studies Teacher
Language Arts Teacher
Related Arts Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Implementing The Big 6
Learning Outcomes
“The key reason for introducing inquiry was to allow students
to apply content knowledge to a real world problem and to
teach library skills with the metacognitive support of an
inquiry process model” (Keeling, 2009).
Students will have a conceptual
understanding of content.
Students will apply content knowledge to
real-world problems.
Students will be information literate.
Students will be independent learners.
Implementing The Big 6
Timeline
1. Professional Development over The Big 6 (1 day)
2. Unit Developing in Content Areas (1 day)
3. Implement first Information Inquiry unit
4. Review and Reflect on Implementation Success
Implementing The Big 6
Action Plan
Get to know the Big 6
Unit Planning in Content Areas
Submit Units to SLMS
Post Big 6 in classrooms
Schedule Library Media Center
Implement and Collaborate with SLMS
Stay
Positive!!
The Big 6 in Action
Writing Process Organizer for Grades 7-12
Common Core Standards AASL Standards for the
21st Century Learner
Writing Standard 7 –
Conduct short as well as more
sustained research projects based
on focused questions, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under
investigation (Common Core
Standards Initiative, 2010).
Standard 1 –
Inquire, think critically, and gain
knowledge.
Standard 2 –
Draw conclusions, make informed
decisions, apply knowledge to new
situations, and create new
KY Program of Studies
knowledge.
Academic Expectation 1.1 –
Standard 3 –
Students use reference tools such as
Share knowledge and participate
dictionaries, almanacs,
ethically and productively as
encyclopedias, and computer
members of our democratic society.
reference programs and research
Standard 4 –
tools (Kentucky Department of
Pursue personal and aesthetic
Education, 2006).
growth (AASL, 2009).
The Big 6 in Action (cont.)
The Great Indian Civilization Unit
Standards for the 21st Century
Learner
Standard 1 - Inquire, think critically, and gain
knowledge.
Standard 2 - Draw conclusions, make
informed decisions, apply knowledge to
new situations, and create new knowledge
(AASL, 2009).
KY Program of Studies
Academic Expectation 1.2 - Students make
sense of the variety of materials they read
(Kentucky Department of Education,
2006).
Common Core Standards
Reading Standard 1 - Read closely to
determine what the text says explicitly and
to make logical inferences from it; cite
specific textual evidence when writing or
speaking to support conclusions drawn
from the text (Common Core Standards
Initiative, 2010).
Pathfinder
Database
Selected
Print
Websites
Resources
WebResources
Resources
The Big6
American
Dweck,
C.Association
(2009).
Who
of
will
School
the 21st-century
Librarians.
(2009).
learners
be?
http://www.big6.com
Common
Core State
Standards
Initiative. (2010).
Common
Standards
Knowledge
for
Quest,
the 21st-century
38(2),Retrieved
9. Retrieved
learner
in action.
the
Core State
Standards.
fromfrom
Chicago,
Academic
IL:
American
Search
Association
Premier
ofdatabase.
School for
Librarians.
Explanation
of, justifications
for, resources
the
http://www.corestandards.org/.
implementation of, and a host of other resources related
Provides
Discusses
standards,
challenges
to 21st-century
benchmarks,
learning
explanations,
and the
role of
to
the Big6
model. strands,
Includes
standards,
information
about
states
who
have
suggested
library
media
activities,
specialists
action
inand
overcoming
examples,
and
them.
action example
adopted
the
standards,
documents
foranclarification
about
template.
The
Super3 and their implementation.
the standards
Keeling,
M. (2009). A district's journey to inquiry. Knowledge
http://www.big6.com/kids/K-2.htm
Caspari,
A.K.,
Quest,
Kuhlthau,
38 (2), 36.
C.C.,
Retrieved
& Maniotes,
from
the
L.K.,
Academic
(2007).
Kentucky
Department
of
Education.
(2006).
Middle
levelSearch
Guided
inquiry:
database.
Learning
in the 21st
century
Links forPremier
children,
parents,
andfrom
teachers
aimed
at school.
education.
Retrieved
Westport,
CT: Libraries
Unlimited,
Inc.
assisting
young students
in information
inquiry.
http://www.education.ky.gov/users/jwyatt/POS/Middl
Explains Newport
e.pdf. News (VA) Public School District’s
Explains guidedof
implementation
inquiry’s
an information
role in education
inquiry model.
and the need for it
toContains
be a partKentucky
of standard
practice
all schools.
Program
of in
Studies
standards as they
relate to middle grades education.
Don’t let inquiry puzzle
you anymore!
Try…
The Big 6!