Library & Media Center

Welcome to the WRMS Media Center!​

Library Mission:

The Western Rockingham Middle School Library strives to provide students and staff an inviting environment where diversity is celebrated, individual learning styles are acknowledged, and independent thinking is encouraged.

llison Wright

Meet Miss Allison Wright

This is my 14th year as a school librarian with Rockingham County Schools. I have worked at both the elementary and middle school levels. I received my Bachelor of Science from Western Carolina University and my Masters of Library and Information Studies from UNC-Greensboro. 

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and I like a lot of different genres, but mysteries and dystopian are probably my two favorites. Some of my favorite authors include Kate DiCamillo, Walter Dean Myers, Rick Yancey, and Jaqueline Woodson (that's her in the picture with me). I love to talk about the books I am currently reading and hear about what others are reading. Some of my favorite children's and young adult books of all time are The Hunger Games and sequels by Suzanne Collins, The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers, Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes, and A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.  Of course, my list grows and changes with each book I read.

I am enamored of almost all things French, especially Paris and the Eiffel Tower. I also collect reading and library quotes.​

"A book is a dream that you hold in your hand."

–Neil Gaiman

Big 6

The Big6™ is a process that will guide you whenever you have a problem to solve, decision to make or task to complete that requires the use of information.

For example, the Big6™ will help you:

  • write a report about … anything!

  • decide which movie to attend

  • complete your homework

  • complete project assignments

Print Student Guide

Print Teacher Guide

The 6 steps in the Big6™ Skills process will help you organize and complete your project. Always start with Step 1, Task Definition. Follow the steps in order and return to a step if needed. 

The Big6™ Skills Approach to Information Problem-Solving

1. Task Definition

4. Use Information

2. Information-Seeking Strategies

5. Synthesis

3. Location and Access

6. Evaluation​

Step 1: TASK DEFINITION

Questions to guide you.

Resources and strategies to help you:

  • What is my task? What does my teacher want me to do?

  • What is the problem I need to solve, or question I need to answer?

  • What do I already know about my question or problem.

  • What do I need to know to solve the problem or answer the question?

  • Use a graphic organizer to write down what you are supposed to do
     

  • Click Here to find a Graphic Organizer
     

  • Click Here for information on how to choose a research topic
     

  • What types of information do I need? facts, opinions, pictures, primary sources?

  • Brainstorm--make a list of everything you need to finish your assignment

    ​

Step 2: INFORMATION-SEEKING STRATEGIES

Questions to guide you.

Resources and strategies to help you:

  • What are all the possible sources for finding this information?

    • Use a Graphic Organizer and brainstorm; list all possible sources of information

    • Use the library--non-fiction books, reference books, maps, Destiny Online Catalog

    • Use the Internet

    • Which of the possible sources are best for me to use?

    • Use the Index and Table of Contents in books
       

  • Evaluate the Website--does it have accurate information about your topic
     

  • Use sources that answer your questions or help you solve your problem

Step 3: LOCATION and ACCESS

Questions to guide you​

Resources and strategies to help you:

  • Where will I find these sources?

  • Who can help me find the sources?

    • Classroom library

    • School library

    • Public library

    • Community (people)

    • Internet

    • Your teachers and your librarian
       

  • What do I need to use to access this information?

  • Destiny (Library Online Catalog)

  • Computer (Internet Browser and Search Engines)

  • The Library

Step 4: USE INFORMATION

Questions to guide you.

Resources and strategies to help you:

  • How will I record the information that I find? (take notes? draw pictures? use an audio or video recorder?)

    • Use graphic organizers

    • Use the "Research Citations and Note cards Template" in your Google Drive
       

  • What information in each source is useful?

  • How will I give credit to my sources? (bibliography? notes at end of presentation?)
     

  • Create notecards using Google Drive template

  • Create "Works Cited" Page using Easy Bib

Step 5: SYNTHESIS

Questions to guide you.

Resources and strategies to help you:

  • How can I organize the information?

    • Create an Outline

    • Use Note Cards created in your template
       

  • How can I present the results?

    • What product or Web Tool should I use? (written report, multimedia presentation, art project, poster)

    • Student Product Possibilities (click here for some ideas)
       

  • Use a Cool Web Tool: Look on the library page for great tools you can use for your presentation
     

  • Multimedia (ask Mrs. Tatum for help)

Step 6: EVALUATION

Questions to guide you.

Resources and strategies to help you:

  • Did I complete the task?

  • Did I do my best work?

  • Complete Project Rubric provided by teacher

  • Think about ways to improve your next project

Big6 Project Organizer 

(use this organizer to complete your research assignment) 

All information on this page was adapted from the Big6™ Skills Approach which was developed by Michael Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz. 

The phrases "Big6", "Big6 Skills", and "Big6 Skills Curriculum" are all copyrights of Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. Source: http://big6.com/pages/about/big6-skills-overview.php