Overview: Library
The library provides the Taipei American School community with access to information, reading materials, research assistance and instruction that supports the curriculum and educational goals of the school.
One of the most exciting places in the Lower School is the library, so it is no surprise that last year over 100,000 books were checked out. The Joanna Nichols Lower School Library provides the Taipei American School community with access to information, reading materials, research assistance, and instruction that supports the curriculum and educational goals of the school. In addition, a variety of online databases support learning across the school.
The library media program partners with teachers to extend and enhance classroom experiences and help develop a lifelong love and appreciation of reading and learning.
The skills taught in the library are integrated with units taught in the classroom.
TAS uses the Big6 and Super3 K-12 research process model
The internet has resulted in an explosion of information available to everyone. More information has been produced in the last 30 years than the previous 5,000 years. The amount of information can be overwhelming and has made it difficult for people, including students, to find, process, and present information. One strategy for approaching the information glut is using the Big6.
The Big6 is a process model that students use to approach and solve information problems. It helps students develop skills and understanding needed to find, process, and use information effectively. In order to approach an information problem, it is necessary to have the technology skills to perform a task. Hence, the Big6 is an information and technology process. It is the most well-known and widely used K-12 research model. Students learn the Big6 through the library media specialists, IT specialists, and classroom teachers as they collaborate to develop and integrate units and lessons to improve information and technology skills with content-area curriculum outcomes.
The Super3 is the same process as the six stages, but it is simplified for younger students in Grades KA-2. The Super3 follows the narrative style of a story. Most stories have a beginning, middle, and an end. When given an information problem in the beginning students will Plan, in the middle they will Do, and at the end they will Review.