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The Super3, The Big6, and Examples Of How We Use Them Every Day

The Super 3*

The Super Three is a junior version of the Big6 for grades K-3.  The three steps are as follows:

1. Plan

2. Do

3. Review

They contain the same format as the Big6.

Plan-

What is my project's topic?

How can I break the topic into smaller bites of information?

Do I need pictures or just words for my project?

What supplies will I need?

What do I already know about my topic?

What do I need to find out?

Where can I find the information I need? 

     in a book?

    in an encyclopedia?

    in an online encyclopedia?

   on a web site?

   from an expert?

Do-

Find your information.

Take notes.

Make your project.

Review-

Did you complete all the parts of the project?

Is your project neat?

Is there something you would like to improve for next time?

The Big6*

    The Big6 is a research model that has been developed by Michael Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz  to help students organize their thoughts as they do a research project. Using this approach, students become familiar with the process of defining the task they wish to accomplish, locating sources, creating an action plan or project, and evaluating their product and the process of decision making.

    The steps to the Big6 are as follows:

    1. Define Your Task

    What do I have to do?  Do I need pictures or just text?

    2. Information Seeking Strategies

    Brainstorm where you can find information.

    3. Locate and Access Your Sources

    Find your sources of information.

    4. Use Your Information

        Take notes.

    5. Synthesis

        Make your decisions and project.

    6. Evaluation

        Did you complete all the parts of your project?

        Is there anything you would like to change about the way you completed 

        this project?

        Is there anything you wish you knew to make the task easier next time?)

    You can help your child by talking to them about using the steps of the Big6 when they do their homework or about everyday family purchases or decisions.  To demonstrate how the Big6 works, I have included three examples.

*The Big6 and Super 3 are included in the website with the written permission of Mr. Michael Eisenberg.

            The Big6 in Action

Example One: Buying Groceries

1. Define Your Task

    Keyword Task: We need to buy groceries.

    Refine Your Task:  I'm going to make meat loaf and mashed potatoes for

    dinner.  What do I need? Where can I get the best price for my supplies?

2. Information Seeking Strategies

    Brainstorm: Where can I find a recipe?

    on-line, in a cookbook, in my recipe box, or ask an expert (grandma)

    Brainstorm: Where can I find the best prices for my groceries?

    newspaper flier and coupon box

3. Locate and Access Your Sources

    Find my meatloaf recipe in my recipe box , look in my favorite recipe book,

    use a search engine to find a recipe on-line, or call grandma.  Find my coupon box and my

    newspaper flier.

4. Use Your Information

    Take notes on what ingredients I need.  Check the flier and

     coupon box. Write down the different prices for the items.

5. Synthesis

    Check to see which products I already have.  Make my grocery list. Pick the 

    the store with the cheapest prices for the items. Go to the grocery store.

6. Evaluation

    Did I get everything I needed?

    Is there anything I could have done to make this easier for myself next time?

Example Two: A Report on Abraham Lincoln

1. Define Your Task

    Keyword Question: I have a project on Abraham Lincoln.

    Refine Your Task: I need to know about Abraham Lincoln's Presidency. Does my assignment include a written report with or without pictures or a poster?

2. Information Seeking Strategies

    Brainstorm: Where can I find information or pictures if I need them?

    Expert: I can ask my parents what they know. I will write to the Lincoln Presidential Library and/or go on-line to see what information is available for children.

    Print: I can read a biography of President Lincoln. I can use an encyclopedia.

    Non-Print Sources: I can go on-line to www.whitehouse.gov , go on-line to the Lincoln Presidential Library at http://www.state.il.us/HPA/preslib/default.htm , and see if there is information about President Lincoln available at www.google.com or www.askjeeves.com. . Use an on-line encyclopedia through the Beverly Public Library web site.

    Personal Experience: I can use information that I already know about President Lincoln.

3. Locate and Access Your Sources

    I will use the online catalog at my school to find books on my topic.  I will ask Mrs. Bloom to make suggestions for materials.  I will go online to the Beverly Public Library website and see if they have any materials that I want to read and then reserve them.  I can ask my parents to pick them up for me. I will visit the websites above and use search engines to find other online sources for materials.  I will go on-line to the encyclopedia and will check the encyclopedia at school.

 4. Use Your Information

    Take notes.

    Ask my parents and the librarian for help in learning how to take notes.

5. Synthesis

    Reread my notes. Compare and contrast my print, expert, personal, and non-print resource notes.

    Make a decision on what I am going to write.  Outline my main points and write my report.

6. Evaluation

    Is there any other information I wish I had?

   Am I  happy with my decision?

    What could I do next time to make the decision making process easier next time? (Learn a   

    particular skill such as using an electronic database.)

Example Three : A Report on What Ducks Eat

1. Define Your Task

    Keyword Task: I need to write a report about animals.

    Refine Your Task: What animal do you want to write about?  A duck

    Continue Refining Your Task:  What do you want to know about a duck?  I want to know what a duck eats?

2. Information Seeking Strategies

    Brainstorm: Where can I find this information?

    An expert: ask mom, dad, or a  veterinarian

    Print source: An encyclopedia or a book about ducks

    Non-Print source: On the internet using a children's search engine or on an online encyclopedia

3. Locate and Access Your Sources

    Find mom or the phone number for the veterinarian

    Find the encyclopedia at the library.

    Find a book about ducks at the library.

    Go to the school library and search our catalog for information about ducks.

    Go to the Beverly Public Library site or use an on-line encyclopedia.

    Go to a children's search engine and request information on ducks and their food.

4. Use the Information

    Take notes from all of your different sources.

5. Synthesis

    Read your notes and make a decision about what you think a duck eats. Write your report.

6. Evaluation

    Did I answer the question, what does a duck eat?

    What could I do next time to make it easier for myself?

        examples: Ask the librarian for help finding materials?   

    Learn how to use the card catalog or the on-line catalog.

        Ask the librarian to teach me how to use it.

     Learn how to use an index.

        Ask the librarian to teach me.

    Learn how to use a search engine.

        Ask the librarian to teach you.

    Learn how to use a print encyclopedia or an on-line encyclopedia.

        Ask the librarian to teach you.

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