Research Tips!

(Super 3 and the Big 6)

Super 3

Super 3 is a way of teaching younger students to think through problems, find the answer, and then review if for accuracy and/or best effort.  The three main parts of the Super 3 are:

Plan

Do

Review

These three things can be done at any time with any problem.  An example that can be used at home is: 

   "It is cold outside today.  What do you Plan to wear to keep you warm?  You want to wear your winter coat?  Good!  Go Do it! "  When the child arrives home later or standing at the bus stop, ask the child, "Are you warm? Did we make the right decision this morning?  We can always review our decisions to see if we made the right ones!" 

Super 3 is introduced to grades K-2 and is the step before we study "The Big 6"!

(Interested in more information?  Check out the Big 6 website.)

Big 6

The Big 6 is a way of doing research or solving an information problem.  The big 6 is taught in grades 3 through 6.  Grades 5 and 6 use it more intensively as they do research projects for their classes. 

Steps in the Big 6 are as follows:

    1.    Task Definition -- What is my problem?  What information do I need to solve the problem?

    2.    Information Seeking Strategies -- What are my possible sources?  Select the BEST sources.

   3.    Location and Access -- Locate the sources.  Find the information in the sources.

    4.    Use of Information -- Engage the information in the source (read, hear, view, or touch).  Extract the relevant information.

    5.    Synthesis -- Organize information from multiple sources.  Present the information.

    6.    Evaluation -- Judge the product (effectiveness).  Judge the Information problem solving process (efficiency).

The Big 6 is something that most adults do in the workplace and at home already.  It is a vital skill for our students to learn that will help them succeed far beyond the school doors!

(Interested in more information?  Check out the Big 6 website.)