[LM_NET] HIT: Information Skills Class for Middle School

[Jackie Chitwood <jackiechitwood@GMAIL.COM>]

Thank you to those that responded to my email.  Here is the original message
followed by the responses.

Original message:


   - I have accepted a new position for next fall and I will be teaching
   an information skills class to 6-8th graders.  My previous experience is
   K-5.  I know that information skills taught on their own is not best
   practice and I am hoping to figure out a way to collaborate with some of the
   teachers for this course.  I am wondering if those of you that teach an
   information skills class would be willing to share a class outline with me.
   Any ideas, suggestions or words of advice would be greatly appreciated.


Responses:


   - I used to teach such a class in a MS. I taught only 6th gr, though.
   I created the class keeping in mind what a student would need to do a
   research paper. I taught the following skills usually covering one or two
   per class.: parts of a book, including information on the copyright page,
   using OPAC, the Dewey Deicmal System, creating a bibliography, how to used
   the reference section; including dfferences in encyclopedias, search engines
   and Boolean searching, evaluating websites, how to search the on line
   databases our school subscribed to ,creating a basic PowerPoint
   presentation, and I culminated the class with a research project.



   - My class was a rotation that lasted one quarter. I saw them every
   day and rotated thru the whole 6th gr. I met with the teams at the beginning
   of the cycle to see what the kids would be studying that cycle and used the
   topics in my lessons. For instance, they studied whales so I taught the kids
   about Boolean searching using different whale characteristics. Their final
   project was always on something that they were learing about in a class, for
   instance volcanoes when they studied that in Science.I agree with you
   that it's not best to teach skills in isolation and I found this often
   frustrating but, I was proud of this class that I designed and was confident
   that if the kids could remember the skills, they would serve them well in
   the future.


   - Check out the www.big6.com site for the framework and lesson ideas.
   It hasarticles of interest and you will find the approach practical and
   efficient.



   - I don't if this is exactly what you are looking for but I learned
   about itfrom the creator at MEMO last year (maybe you also were in
   thatpresentation).  I have used it this year when talking to the 6-8
   gradersabout database searches for research.  Here is the url:
   http://www.radcab.com/.  I found it to be really helpful and I
   heardstudents, later, referring to some of the points.  I have posters
   displayedwith this info on it as well.



   - I also received links to archived messages about middle school
   library skills


Jackie Chitwood
Media Specialist
Achieve Language Academy
St. Paul, MN
jackiechitwood@gmail.com

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