Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rainforest Animals: Grade 3 Learn the Big6

The students in Grade Three are learning fascinating facts about rainforest animals. Each student is researching a particular animal using electronic and print resources. EnchantedLearning.com and many wonderful books have helped the students to answer questions about the animal's appearance, habitat, diet, and behavior. From the capybara to the sloth to the red-eyed tree frog, students are making remarkable discoveries.

Using a graphic organizer to record their "treasure words" or main ideas, students are learning important skills related to locating, evaluating and using information.



The steps of the Big6 research process help them to develop as researchers. The Big6 is a model used to teach information and technology problem solving skills. All students in Grades 2-5 are learning the following six-step approach:

1. Task Definition
  • Define the information problem
  • Identify information needed

2. Information Seeking Strategies

  • Determine all possible sources
  • Select the best sources

3. Location and Access

  • Locate sources
  • Find information within sources

4. Use of Information

  • Engage, read, hear, view
  • Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis

  • Organize from multiple sources
  • Present the information

6. Evaluation

  • Judge the product
  • Judge the process
For more information about the Big6, visit http://www.big6.com/kids/index.htm
Also, remember students can access our subscription resources, including Enchanted Learning, from home. Simply visit the Elementary Library Home Page for links to our many helpful resources, all at appropriate reading levels for students.

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