VA SOL 4.1 Library Information
Explain the concept of the Dewey Decimal System and locate nonfiction books on the library shelves.
This lesson is a Problem Based Lesson.
Question: What's Up With the Dewey Decimal System? Sometimes students have difficulty finding specific non-fiction books in the library. It’s so hard to remember the Dewey numbers for books about dinosaurs, snakes, pets and other interesting subjects. Young readers have trouble reading the shelf labels, so they spend a lot of time searching and searching. So the 4th graders were asked for help! These students were asked, “What can you do to help younger readers find non-fiction books in the library?” The class will begin this project by using the KWHL chart to help guide them in deciding what is the best way for them to solve this problem.
PLAN
The class will research facts about the Dewey Decimal System. All students will read the book The Dewey Decimal System by Allan Fowler (025.4 FOW). They will also view the video Using the Dewey Decimal System (025.4 USI). (Other library materials may be substituted.) After reading the book and viewing the video the class will have a discussion about who created the DDC, how and why it was created and how we use it in the library today. As part of the assessment, students will be required to take the AR quiz (if available) after reading the book. After completing the KWHL graphic organizer the students will brainstorm ideas on how to help young readers find what they need in the non-fiction section of the library. The class will be divided into five groups. Each group will be assigned two Dewey categories (000-100, 200-300,etc.) to research. The groups will use various sources to learn more about the Dewey Decimal System and the man who created it. They will specifically find out what kinds of subjects and books are included in their assigned Dewey categories.
Group Names / Dewey Categories
1. Dewey Thinks 000-100 Generalities / Philosophy and Psychology
2. Dewey Believes 200-300 Religion / Social Sciences / Folklore
3. Dewey Says 400-500 Languages/ Math and Sciences
4. Just DO It 600-700 Medicine and Technology / Arts and Recreation
5. Where is Dewey? 800-900 Literature / History and Geography
Each group will have 5 jobs. Several students may share jobs.
Librarian: Keep track of and return library materials. Create bibliography
Fact Recorder: Record notes and facts during group sessions
Typist: Type facts onto Hyperstudio cards
Layout Artist(s): Create Hyperstudio cards, adds graphics (voted on by group)
Proof Reader(s): Check for spelling and grammatical errors
Schedule
Day 1-2 In class or for homework, read the book The Dewey Decimal System by Allan Fowler 025.4 FOW. Each group member will list 5 important facts about the Dewey Decimal System.
Day 3 Share facts with the Fact Recorder. Facts will be recorded in the Dewey Handbook created by teacher. The blank sheets are provided for facts about Mr. Dewey and the DDC.
Day 4 View the online video clip Take a Tour of the Dewey Decimal System. Follow-up with discussions in each group. Add 2-3 more facts to the Dewey Handbook. Fact Recorder from each group will orally share facts with the whole class. The group will decide which facts will be added to their multimedia presentation. The recorder will highlight these facts in the Handbook.
Day 5 Lesson with the school’s librarian. The class will view the web page “Do We Really Know Dewey?” by Ms. Suby and web page Melvil Dewey by Robert Tiess and Mary Climes. Group members will orally share 2-3 facts about their Dewey categories and Mr. Dewey. Facts must be recorded in the handbook.
Day 6 Computer Lab visit. All students will view Powerpoint Presentation Can You Do Dewey? by C. Davenport, Rivers Edge Elementary School, HCPS. Each group will discuss portions of the presentation about their categories. Fact Recorder will record facts in their Dewey Handbook.
Day 7 Groups will visit the library to browse and check out books from their assigned categories. Each group member will select 3 books from each of the 2 categories they will research. The group’s Librarian will create a bibliography for the books checked out by the group. The group’s Layout Artist will take a photo of another group working in the library. Groups will share the photos with each other. The group’s photo will be added to the
Day 8 Groups will meet to share the types of books selected for their categories. On chart paper, the group’s Librarian will make a list of the titles for each of the 2 categories. The group will decide what subject each book is about. The subject will be listed beside each title. The group will suggest a drawing for each title. Group members must agree. The Layout Artist will draw a rough sketch for each. This sketch will remind the Layout Artist which graphics to choose for the presentation.
Day 9 Students will search a clip art webpage to download images to use on their signs and in their presentation. The sign must be 81/2 X 11, include at least 6 images, the Dewey Classification number and text describing the section. The Proof Reader will check to see that the graphics and text match. The Proof Reader will also check spelling and grammar.
Day 10 The group’s Librarian will add the bibliographic information to the handbook. The Librarian can return all materials to the library. The group will use the Storyboard to begin designing the slides for the presentation. The group must decide where the facts and graphics will be located. The Layout Artist will add graphics.
Day 11-12 The Proof Reader must check all facts. The Typist can begin typing the facts into the presentation. The Layout Artist can begin importing the graphics. The group’s Librarian will read over all work and add the credits to finish the presentation.
Day 14-15 Groups will edit presentations. They will print signs and presentations. Each student will use the self-assessment rubric to grade own group’s performance. Self-assessment rubrics are due on the day of the group’s presentation.
The teacher and librarian will meet to evaluate multimedia projects and signs. 1-2 days may be given for editing, if needed. The presentations will be given in the library. The class will score each group using a simple rubric.
PROJECT
The 4th graders decided that the best way to help was to create a slide show to share with other classes and create signs for the non-fiction section of the library. The signs will guide all library visitors to what they need in the non-fiction section. The students will collaborate to create multimedia projects (Hyperstudio Stacks). Groups will decide what text, graphics and facts would be most useful to create the multimedia project and signs for the library shelves. The projects will be linked together to share with other grades. The signs will be displayed on the appropriate library shelves.
ASSESSMENTS
1.Students will be required to take the AR quiz for the book and score at least 70%.
2.Students will grade their own group’s skills, teamwork and timeliness.
3.Together the school’s librarian and teacher will grade the projects using a rubric.
MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION AND EVALUATION
It is expected that all students will work well together. They will perform their jobs, contribute to all group discussions and tasks. Members are expected to follow the set timelines and having tasks completed by the deadline. Each group will present their project in the library before the school’s librarian, classroom teacher and classmates. The multimedia presentation and sign for the library must accurately reflect what was learned in the research process.
After the presentations are complete, each student will write a “For The Teacher’s Eyes Only” journal entry. The students will reflect on the processes of making decisions together, researching, and collaborating to create a product. Each group will visit the library often to see how other students are using their signs as guides.
Credits and References
“Do We” Really Know Dewey? by Ms. Suby http://library.thinkquest.org/5002/index.shtml
Suby, Susan. "Do You Really Know Dewey?." Think Quest. 1999. ThinkQuest. 24 Jun 2006
<http://library.thinkquest.org/5002/index.shtml>.
MeetMelvil Dewey http://www.thrall.org/dewey/dewbio.htm
Animated Tour of DDC by OCLC Worldwide http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/tour/
Fowler, Allan. The Dewey Decimal System. NY: Children's Press, 1996.
Can you Do the Dewey by Middletown Thrall Library http://www.thrall.org/dewey/index.htm
Powerpoint Presentation Can You Do Dewey? By C. Davenport HCPS, Rivers Edge E.S.
HCPS Library Online Catalog http://catalog.henrico.k12.va.us/libhome.html
School Clipart For Teachers and Kids http://www.school-clip-art.com/
Read The Story of the Dewey Decimal System
http://mte.anacortes.k12.wa.us/library/dewey/deweystory.htm
<br>Usethe link to play interactive games. Learn more about the DDC.
Test you skills playing the Matching Game and Concentration! http://www.quia.com/jg/7265.html
