Big Six Research Model
What Is It
Why Use It
What Is The Big 6?
Grades 3 and up
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Step 1 – Task Definition
Step 2 – Information Seeking Strategies
Step 3 – Location and Access
Step 4 – Use of Information
Step 5 – Synthesis
Step 6 – Evaluation
(Jansen, “The Big6 Goes Primary”)
Advantages
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Opportunity to activate and extend knowledge
Student-Led Method
Inquiry-based Learning
Applicable for any subject
(Jansen, “The Big6 Goes Primary”)
Big6-TEKS Comparison
Big6
Step 1 – Task Definition
TEKs Key Words
Research /Research Plan
 Define the information
problem
 Open-Ended Research
Questions
 Generate Research Topics
 Identify information needed
 Decide what sources
 Generate Research Plan
(Jansen, “The Big6 Goes Primary”)
Big6-TEKS Comparison
Big6
Step 2 – Information Seeking
Strategies
 Determine All Possible Sources
 Select the Best Sources
TEKs Key Words
Research /Research Plan
 Decide what sources of
information
 Generate Research Plan
 Research/Gathering Sources
(Jansen, “The Big6 Goes Primary”)
Big6-TEKS Comparison
Big6
Step 3- Location and Access
TEKs Key Words
Research/Gathering Sources
 Locate Sources
Collect information from
multiple sources
 Find Information within
sources
Skimming and Scanning
Techniques
Big6-TEKS Comparison
Big6
Step 4 – Use of Information
 Students Engage
Information
 Extract Relevant
Information
TEKs Key Words
Research /Synthesizing
Information
Clarify research questions
Evaluate information
Big6-TEKS Comparison
Big6
Step 5 – Synthesis
 Organize from multiple
sources
 Present the information
TEKs Key Words
Research/Organizing and
Presenting
 Present according to the
purpose of research and
audience
 Compiles
 Develops topic sentence
Big6-TEKS Comparison
Big6
Step 6 – Evaluation
Students Judge the Product
and Process
TEKs Key Words
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What do you think?
Is there a TEK?
Why Use the Big6?
 The Big6 is able to be used at virtually any
grade, subject and ability level.
 The process is not linear; students will learn to
evaluate and refine their research as they
progress.
SKILLS FOR LIFE
 The bottom line is to raise the next generation
of thinkers to be independent learners
capable of turning curiosity into knowledge.
 Incorporating the six steps of the Big6 into the
teaching curriculum at any level and in any
subject will help achieve greater information
literacy skills and deeper learning for your
students.
21st Century Learners
The Big6 also produces a framework for teaching
and learning that is closely correlated to the
American Association of School Librarians’
Standards for the 21st-Century Learner (2009).
The Super 3
The Super3 contains the same basic elements as
the Big6, but is written for younger students to
understand.
The Super 3
Grades K-2
Super 3
TEKs Key Words
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?
Research/Research Plan
• Open-ended question
• Develop a plan
• Decide sources of
Information
Big6 Steps:
• Task Definition
• Information Seeking Strategies
Can Also be used with SPED classes?
The Super 3
Grades K-2
Super 3
TEKs Key Words
2. Do - (Middle)
In the Middle the students DO
the activity. This is where they
read, view, tell, make a picture,
etc.
Research/Gathering Sources
 Students determine, locate
and explore sources
 Record Information
Big6 Steps:
• Location and Access
• Use of Information
• Synthesis
The Super 3
Grades K-2
Super 3
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
TEKs Key Words
Research/Organizing and
Presenting Ideas
Super 3 Dinosaurs
You can find this really cute PowerPoint in the
“free stuff” section of The Big 6 website under
the presentations heading.
• Flat Stanly Super Three Worksheet