Curriculum Standards

Curriculum Standards

The mission of the Library Media Program in the Belchertown Public Schools is to cultivate students into effective and ethical users of information. The information literate student should be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use information from a variety of sources to reach a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Students are also encouraged to appreciate the diverse landscape of literature and ideas in order to become lifelong learners.

Students should be able to:

1. Define an Information Task

· What is the information problem I’m trying to solve?

· What do I already know about my topic and what do I need to know?

2. Develop Information Seeking Strategies

· How can I find the information I need to know?

· What is the most effective way to investigate a topic of interest?

· Why plan before research?

3. Locate and Access Information

· How do I locate information sources effectively and efficiently?

· How is my access to information affected by its arrangement or organization?

4. Use Information

· How do I know what information is appropriate to my need?

· How do I know what to believe in the information sources I find?

5. Synthesize Information

· What is the best way to collect and organize the information I need to complete my task?

· What is the best way to communicate my research findings to otherss?

6. Participate in Collaborative Activities

· How do members of a learning community exhibit responsible behavior towards people and materials?

· How can I be an effective member of a research group?

7. Evaluate the Process and the Product

· What can I do in the future to improve my ability to search for information

· How can I best show what I learned to others?

8. Appreciate Literature

· How do I explore books that I would like to read?

· How does literature reflect, examine, and influence human experience?