Re: Target-->Kindergarten and information literacy

[Barbara Jansen <bjansen@TENET.EDU>]

Bev, I am the person who initiated (I think) the Big Six and Kinder
discussion this fall. I collaborated with the Kinder teachers and
team-taught two (so far) lessons with them using the Big Six as the
framework for the lessons. We enjoyed it very much. Each lesson took only
one class period (I went into their classrooms), but this spring we will
expand into the library and possibly into a two-day project.
  At this level, an awareness of the information problem-solving model is
about all you can hope for. I would not expect mastery from our Kinder
kids, just participation and cooperation and a good time.
  In a nutshell, I introduce the Big Six using puppets (a spider or bat,
as the lessons were on spiders and bats) and sing a song, of which the
Kinder kids repeat the refrain. I have a verse for each step of the Big
Six. I talk about Big Six #1 and what it is (actually, the puppet does the
talking) and then the teacher defines the task for the class and the
class comes up with questions to be answered to complete the task.) I
briefly discuss Big Six 2 & 3, and then use a library book (or two) which
I have brought with me. I read the book and we talk about what
information will satisfy the questions. The teacher acts as recorder on
a piece of chart paper. When we have found answers to questions, the
students go back to their tables to complete the "assignment," while the
teacher and I go around assisting or scribing for the students. (Big Six
#5--I explain what it is before they go to their seats and the teacher
gives details about what they are supposed to do.) For Big Six #6, they
exchange work and "check" each other's work for completeness. Easy, and fun!
Short lessons like this will familiarize the students with the notion of
using a process when they need information for a task, as well as
familiarize them with the terms and specific steps of the process. If
they use it in a controlled situation for a few years, hopefully,
the knowledge will internalize when they are developmentally ready to use
it independently.
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* Barbara A. Jansen          Live Oak Elementary     *
* Librarian                  8607 Anderson Mill Road *
* Round Rock I.S.D.          Austin, TX  78729-4706  *
* bjansen@tenet.edu          512/331-0996            *
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