The Big 6™ Checklist for Students

A review checklist compiled by Mr. Duncan based on the Big 6™ model.

The BIG 6™ Skills Information Problem-Solving Curriculumis used when students need information to solve problems.

Only place a check if you can answer the question with a ”yes”. If you have not checked off all the questions, then you should consider going back and working on the step again. Review your checklist with someone, fully explaining your reasons for the check.

Big 6™#1: What am I supposed to do? Can I clearly explain the assignment to someone else?

Do I understand the topic? ______

Do I understand what questions need to be answered? ______

Do I understand what the teacher wants me to do in

this assignment? ______

Big 6™#2: What sources of information may I use?What information is needed?

Did I come up with a list, or web, of possible sources (brainstorm)? ______

Did I evaluate all the different possible sources and select the best sources? ______

Can I give good reasons to my teacher why I chose these sources? ______

Big 6™#3: Where can I find these resources? Where will I locate sources and how will I select the best sources to answer questions about the topic?

Did I locate my sources and find information within them? ______

Did I search for printed sources, non-print such as:

Videos? ______

DVD’s? ______

Personal interviews? ______

Card catalogue? ______

General databases? ______

The Internet? ______

Town library? ______

Encyclopedias? ______

Non-fiction books? ______

Magazines and periodicals? _____

Did I write the location beside each source so that I may go back to it in the future? ______

Big 6™#4: How can I get what I need from these sources? How will I use the information?

Did I read and take notes? ______

Did I use a checklist of questions, and a checklist of information based on the questions from the original assignment? ______

Did I extract (take out and write down) the relevant, or most important, information from my sources? ______

Did I view videos or DVDs, etc. on my topic?______

Did I correctly cite my sources? ______

Big 6™#5: How do I put it all together? How will I organize my research to create my final product?

Will it be an interesting paper? ______

A unique oral speech? ______

A poster? ______

A PowerPoint? ______

Other type of presentation? ____

Did I organize my information from my different sources by…?

Category? ______

Alphabetically? ______

By time sequence? ______

As a story? ______

Order of importance? ______

Or a combination of these? _____

Big 6™#6: How did I do? Evaluate your work by asking yourself these questions:

Was I successful in completing the entire process?

Does my final product answer or complete the assignment? What did I learn?

What would I do differently if I had more time or had to complete a similar assignment?

How could I improve the results of this assignment if I were given more time?

Which are the areas in this assignment that need more information?

The BIG 6™ is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz