This document outlines the scope and sequence of information literacy skills for middle school students for the 2010-2011 school year. It covers developing research topics, identifying potential sources, developing and revising search strategies, recognizing responsible and ethical use of information, and evaluating sources and information. Each section lists the relevant content standards and objectives for students to learn key skills in each area of information literacy.

1. Middle School
Information Literacy
Scope and Sequence of Skills
Christine M Smith
Middle School Librarian
SY 2010-2011

2. Develop Research Topic
Content Standards
AASL Information Power/ 21st Century Skills
Standard 1 The student who is information literate accesses
information efficiently and effectively
Indicator 3 The student who is information literate formulates
questions based on information need
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
1.1.1 Follow an inquiry based process in seeking knowledge in
curricular subjects.
1.1.3 Develop and refine a range of questions to frame the
search for new understanding.

3. Develop Research Topic
Objectives
● Students will develop an effective research topic based on
three step process, record what they know, record what the
need to know, read an overview of the topic.
● Students will develop a research topic moving from broad
concepts to narrow topics.
● Students will create focus questions that will lead to the
most relevant information related to their topic.
● Students will identify the proper order for beginning the
research process using a generated list of research steps
● Students will correctly identify the questions in the set that
are important to answer in order to address the topic given
a research topic and a set of questions

4. Identify Potential Sources
Content Standards
AASL Information Power
Standard 1 The student who is information literate accesses
information efficiently and effectively
Indicator 4 Identifies a variety of potential sources of
information
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
S1.1-I4 Find evaluate, and select appropriate sources to
answer questions.

5. Identify Potential Sources
Objectives
● Students will correctly identify the best tool to use to locate
information given a list of reference tools and an information
need
● Students will select that database that is most appropriate
for an information need given a list of describing databases
● Students will correctly identify all sources that could be used
for a research project given a list of information resources
● Students will correctly identify,from a list of sources, those
that would provide information on the topic to be
researched

6. Develop, use, and revise search
strategies Content Standards
AASL Information Power
Standard 1 The student who is information literate accesses
information efficiently and effectively
Indicator 5 Develops and uses successful strategies for locating
information.
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
Standard1.1-I8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for
accessing information and pursuing inquiry

7. Develop, use and revise search
strategies Objectives
● Students will correctly identify the group of words that will
yield the best results given an information need and a list of
possible search phrases.
● Students will correctly select the searches that will allow him
to find the article in an online database given the title and
author of a magazine article and a list of possible searches.
● Students will correctly identify terms that broaden the
search given an information need and a list of terms to
search in the online catalog.

8. Recognize how to use information
responsibly, ethically, and legally Content
Standards
AASL Information Power
Standard 8 The student who contribute positively to the learning
community and to society is information literate and practices ethical
behavior in regard to information and information technology
Indicator 1 Respects intellectual property rights
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
Standard 1.3.1 Respect copyright/intellectual property rights of
creators and producers
Standard 1.3.3 Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and
using information

9. Recognize how to use information
responsibly, ethically, and legally
Objectives
● Students will identify a violation as one against copyright
given a scenario that violates copyright
● Students will correctly identify the title of the magazine given
a citation for a magazine article
● Students will identify valid reasons for citing sources given a
list of reasons for citations.
● Students will correctly identify the way to include an author’
s work without plagiarizing given the direction to incorporate
an author’s work into one’s paper

10. Evaluate sources and information
Content Standards
AASL Information Power Standards
Standard 2 The student who is information literate evaluates
information critically and competently
Indicator 4 Selects information appropriate to the problem or
question at hand
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
S1.1-I4 Find evaluate, and select appropriate sources to
answer questions
S1.1-I5 Evaluate information found in selected sources on the
basis of accuracy, validity, appropriateness for needs,
importance, and social and cultural context

11. Evaluate sources and information
Objectives
● Students will correctly identify the source where graphics
could be obtained legally to include in the report given an
assignment to create a report that must include graphics
● Students will identify the most current source for the topic
given a list of websites and print materials
● Students will identify the site that is most likely to be
objective given a topic and a list of potential websites