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How to Teach Library & Information Skills
- This topic has 10 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by
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I am wondering if there are any simple, easy to use resources for teaching how to make the best use of the library and different reference materials (dictionary, thesaurus, almanac, encyclopedia, search engines, etc.). I wouldn’t mind worksheets or books for this task, though any good ideas are welcome.
LiBeary Skills by Highsmith Publishing (yes, the spelling is correct). Probably out of print. Covers most skills.
http://www.radcab.com/pdfs/radcab-rubric-2.pdf is handy for teaching research skills, especiaaly online sources. The homepage, radcab.com, has oyher links, too.
You didn’t mention the Dewey Decimal System, but here are some ideas for that:
Explain that just as every person has an address, so does every book–its call number. The Dewey Decimal System is the map key, compass, GPS, etc. To explain the map, build a story around this framework:
Once therw was a very curious child (or children). They had questions about eveything, but all their questions fell into these groups:
Who am I?
Who is God? What is He like? What do others think God is like?
How do I learn about the people around me?
How do I communicate?
What about the world God made?
How can I use God’s world to benefit Mankind?
How can I make the world more beautiful?
How can I use words to express myself?
How do people around the world live? How did they live long ago?
HTH,
Karen
Also try a library scavenger hunt after they’ve been introduced to the sources. (Ask the librarian’s permission first, though!) Before going to the library make a list of ten books, pieces of information, etc. that you want them to find. Each child must find different sources. Set a time limit if you think it is appropriate.
After my initial answer, I remembered an article on crosswalk.com, “14 Games to Play with Reference Materials.” Here’s the link: http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11581472/.
HTH again,
Karen
I’m pretty sure Queen Homeschool has something for this. I’ve not used it though–we just cover needed skills as they come up.
Have you seen “Exploring the Library” by the Notgrass family?
http://www.notgrass.com/library-skills-knowledge-homeschool.php
If you use these things regularly, they will learn how to use them. Perhaps you could avoid actually purchasing something. Instead, use these reference materials daily or weekly (or bi-weekly in our case regarding the library; we go 2x a month), teaching them to use them and they will learn; have them look up things for you, in the encyclopedia, thesaurus and dictionary for practice; also whenever they ask you what a word means, how it’s spelled or about someone in history, have them use the appropriate resources. Also, have word games, where you use the thesaurus to come up w/a new word.
Rachel
Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas! I especially like the link to the games to play. I realize these are skills best taught in a natural setting and we do use these materials, but I find that I sometimes need a checklist or a guide of some sort to make sure I’m not overlooking the obvious. You know, the old saying, “You can see the forest for the trees.”
I appreciate all of you and all of your wisdom that I learn from all of the time!
Christie
Yes, Christie, I second a list/guide in order to remember to cover those things that fall through the cracks!
Rachel
I found this sight and planned to use the information for my DD. A lot of good information, hope it helps you.
I used the Queen Homeschool Learning How to Learn, it was great for a guided list. http://www.queenhomeschool.com/bookpage/bookframe.html
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