Quick to pick up

easy to use

Use Kit resources as plug-ins if you are unable to offer a unit in research skills

Since isolated lessons that incorporate information fluency are likely not as effective as a unit, repeat plug-ins when appropriate and see how far around the Full Circle of core competencies you can get in a year:

• • Knowing what to look for

• • Knowing where to look

• • Knowing how to get there

• • Knowing if the information is any good

• • Knowing how to use information ethically

Use this guide to integrate Kit resources into your exisiting lessons.

Unless you teach a unit or a course in information fluency, you have to create opportunities to introduce and reinforce 21st Century skills in your classroom or library. While a series of lessons dedicated to online research skills is preferred, the most practical alternative is to use the games, assessments and other approaches found in the Resource Kits as plug-ins. The result is a lesson that blends the objectives of an exisiting lesson with training in digital information core compentencies.

The approach we use follows this pattern:

Look for opportunities to plug information fluency into exisiting lessons. This awareness is critical to the whole process.

Think in terms of core competencies. It is easier to find a connection with an existing lesson by matching objectives. For example, the first core competency is: "Learners identify key concepts in a research question."

Don't force fit plug-ins. Unless a lesson provides a natural opportunity to plug in the objective, wait until a better opportunity comes along. These are some of the more obvious, natural fits:

• • Any lesson that involves research

• • Lessons that involve brainstorming

• • Lessons that involve parts of speech

• • Lessons that involve vocabulary building

• • Lessons that involve reading comprehension

Select an appropriate activity that addresses the core competency. Consult our competencies/resource index for help.

Outline the blended lesson, looking for a sequence of activities that flows naturally in the time available. Look for ways to use the plug-in in place of an exisiting part of the learning experience, saving time and helping accomplish multiple objectives.

Evaluate the result and revise accordingly.

Practice it now:

In the two lessons listed below, identify a way to incorporate the following core competency (and supporting activity):

• Learners develop and apply vocabulary building strategies (using Snippet Sleuth or searching)

Our suggested changes to the Whole Language Lesson

Our suggested changes to the Password-Vocabulary Review Lesson