Information Literacy Project

Overall Information Literacy Project Description

Our middle school information literacy project will help students to become independent learners.  Each year the students will be taken through the research process by applying skills through various manners.  In sixth grade, the students will be researching a topic of personal interest.  In seventh grade, the students will apply the research skills previously learned through hands on learning.  In eighth grade, the students will further build upon their research skills by taking them to an analytical and evaluative level. Teachers are encouraged to promote inquiry through the overarching questions.  Over a three-year period, students will be encouraged to broaden their perspective from themselves, to their school, to their community, and the world. The emphasis should be on the research process itself. The finished product of the research changes each year to match the developmental level of the students.

Steps of the Information Literacy Project

1. Establish a clear goal and focus for the project
2. Create essential questions related to the topic
3. Identify, evaluate, and use a wide variety of sources
4. Prepare a formal bibliography in MLA format
5. Written description of the research process
6. Present final products
7. Evaluate yourself as a researcher

Students will document the research process in a journal/binder. This will include research notes, bibliographic information, connections to previous learning, long term plans, and comments on successes and difficulties.

Timelines & Focus:

6^th grade: Beginning of January – End of March

Presentations - Research and display on a personal interest topic.

7^th grade: End of February – End of May

Learning by Doing – Demonstrations of research & skill learned

8^th grade: September – Beginning of January

Controversial Issues - Choose an issue, research both sides, choose a position & justify it, mock trials/debates

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6^th Grade

Timeline:

Beginning of January – End of March

Description:

The 6^th grade product will include an oral presentation and visual display of their research process based on a topic of personal interest.  The students will learn the steps of the information literacy process and will share them through their journal/binder and the story of their research.

Requirements:

Journal/Binder - AM Beck

Paper with the story of the research process - AM Beck

Presentation with a visual display - AM Beck

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7^th Grade

Timeline:

End of February – End of May

Description:

The 7^th grade product will include evidence of hands on learning through a demonstration or creation.  The students will apply the steps of the information literacy process and will share them through their journal/binder and the story of their research.

Requirements:

Journal/Binder - AM Beck

Feature Article - Language Arts

Oral presentation - AM Beck

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8^th Grade

Timeline:

September – Beginning of January

Description:

The 8^th grade product will include a written editorial on an issue of their choice. It should be used as a tool to present sides of an issue, their position, and their justification. The students will apply the steps of the information literacy process and will share them through their journal/binder, their "Bill", and their oral presentation..

Requirements:

Journal/Binder - AM Beck

Editorial - Language Arts

Creation Of a Bill - Humanities

Oral Presentation - Humanities