Grade Level:  Grades 6 - 12

Organization of Information

Concepts
Library collections
Organizational systems
Electronic information
Research process inquiry
Databases
Information access

Enduring Understandings
Information searches begin with a problem or question.
Distinguishing characteristics of print and digital reference sources help users locate, evaluate and access information.
The preservation of democratic freedoms depends on a knowledgeable, enlightened citizenry.

Skills
Grades 6 & 9
1. Locate collections in a new library.
Grades 6 - 8
1. Locate and use the periodical and video collections.
2. Locate and use electronic databases, reference collections, and electronic catalog.
Grades 9 - 12
1. Locate and use electronic catalog.
2. Locate and use databases.
3. Use internet sources.
4. Use reference sources.

Ethics

Concepts
Ownership
Collaboration
Communication
Security
Legal Consequences
Technology and Information systems
Social and ethical behavior
Plagiarism
Privacy
Personal safety
Intellectual freedom

Enduring Understandings
Responsible citizens follow legal and ethical rules and behaviors when using technology and information systems.
Advancements in society are promoted when information users act responsibly and ethically.

Skills
1. Identify direct quotations with citations.
2. Identify paraphrase/summarize.
3. Use network accounts property (AUP).
4. Identify personal safety issues on internet.
5. Define personal privacy issues.
6. Define forms of plagiarism and ways to avoid.
7. Explain the consequences of plagiarism.
8. Utilize bibliography tools.
9. Tracking resources.
10. List all available resources for your inquiry.

Literary Appreciation/Life Long Learning

Concepts
Personal interest.
Recreational pursuit.
Enjoys literature.
Self-motivated reader.

Enduring Understandings
Reading for personal pleasure and for information promotes a society of life-long learners.

Skills
1. Identify characteristics of genres and formats.
2. Identify various cultures/differences.
3. Skimming and scanning for factual information.

Research

Concepts
Problem identification.
Background knowledge.
Brainstorming.
Research goals.
Identify sources available.
Prioritize resources.
Points of view.
Supporting evidence.
Keywords and phrases.
Visual tools.
Big idea/small idea.
Manageable time constraints.
Know audience.

Enduring Understandings
Research begins with understanding one's information needs.
Inquiry is a process that demands using the best search strategies.

Skills
1. Know your audience.
2. Evaluate quality of information.
3. Evaluate relevancy of information (accuracy, availability, currency, credibility, bias, point of view)
4. Identify keywords and phrases.
5. Use search strategies that match the need and available resources.
6. Differentiate between primary and secondary sources.
7. Select materials that meet research criteria.
8. Introduce CT Digital Library's organization.