The Dewey Decimal System: Classification is SWEET!Grade Level: 8th Subject: Language Arts Prepared By: Angela Bulloch

Overview & Purpose: What will be learned and why it is useful.

Students will learn about the Dewey Decimal Classification System, how to read Dewey numbers, how to locate both fiction and non-fiction materials in libraries, and how to order non-fiction and fiction materials. This is useful information to students who utilize library services for educational purposes as well as individual needs. This knowledge is universal to most libraries. Thus, these skills target information literacy and promote independent library practices.

Education Standards AddressedWhat state/county education standards that this lesson satisfies.

Library Standard 1.3 Access to Information

Candidates plan strategically to ensure physical and intellectual access to information for the entire school community.

Language Arts 8 Speaking and Listening Standard 1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Teacher Guide

Objectives(Specify skills/information that will be learned.)

Students will learn about the Dewey Decimal Classification System and its importance to locating and utilizing materials efficiently.

Students will review how fiction and non-fiction are organized in libraries and will be tested on learned skills in small and large group situations.

Lesson Steps

1. Students will sit at large tables in library (4 per table). 2. I will welcome the visiting class and show a short video clip (The Two

Ronnies: The Confusing Library 3+4 min).3. Each table will be given various types of candies of different colors,

shapes, sizes, brands, and contents (identical candy groups for each table).

4. Groups will be given 7-10 minutes to classify the candies into a logical system or order and must fill out the worksheet. When the classification time has passed, group systems will be briefly addressed as a large group, in which we will discuss the varieties and rationales.

5. Afterward, I will review the Dewey Decimal Classification System, via a PowerPoint presentation.

6. I will follow-up by presenting a poster “How to Read a Dewey Number” and give each table an example sheet. Then I’ll tell them it’s time for a test.

7. Each student will be given a non-fiction book. The class will organize their books in Dewey order, according to the call numbers on each spine. They may check the poster or example paper on each table, if necessary. Check class for accuracy.

8. I’ll explain where our biographies are housed (own section) and how to find fiction books, via authors’ last names. Each student will be given a fiction book. Without speaking this time, students will organize themselves into shelf order—alphabetically by author’s last name (and further by titles for authors with identical names). Check for accuracy.

9. Ask groups to briefly discuss how they might re-classify their candies now that they’ve learned about Dewey’s system (notes on back of classification sheet or discussion, depending on time). Ask students to explain what they have learned about library classification and any additional information that affects our library, specifically.

10. Students will be given a bookmark with the Dewey Decimal Categories for future reference and may share their candies (each group member chooses one until they are gone).

Materials Needed

Candies of various sizes, shapes, colors, brands, and contents

Classification is SWEET paper for each group

Pen or Pencil for each group

Dewey Decimal Poster

How to Read a Dewey Number Example page at each table

Non-fiction book for each student

Fiction book for each student

Dewey Bookmarks

Information(Give and/or demonstrate necessary information)

Prior to the actual lesson, students will organize and classify various candies of different shapes, sizes, and contents to demonstrate the need for a classification system.

Information on the Dewey Decimal Classification System will include:

The importance and necessity for classification (film and classification exercise)

Dewey Decimal Categories and sub-categories (PowerPoint/Poster) Non-fiction Classification/Organization Fiction Classification/Organization

Assessment(Steps to check for student understanding)

Students will practice classification during the candy activity and will evaluate the outcome, via the Classification worksheet

Students will be tested (individually and collectively) during the large group activities as they organize themselves into shelf orders (non-fiction Dewey numbers and Fiction)

I will prepare the following assessment materials:

Dewey Decimal System: Classification is SWEET Worksheet and group evaluation Non-fiction book for each student Fiction book for each student

Other Resources(e.g. Web, books, etc.)

LCD projector Laptop PowerPoint Film Clip Non-fiction book

for small group activity

Fiction book for each student

Activity(Describe the independent activity to reinforce this lesson)

Following the initial instruction and group activity, students will be given a non-fiction and fiction book. Each will line up according to the correct shelf orders.

I will gather the necessary materials for the activities:

Variety of candies Organize technology (projector with film and slides) Create a Poster to specify Dewey Number breakdowns Print a Dewey Review page for each table Non-Fiction book for each student Fiction book for each student Create bookmark for each student

SummaryFollowing the lesson, students will be more prepared to locate books in nearly any library for specific educational and individual purposes.

At the close of the lesson, students will be given a book mark of the Dewey Decimal Classification System as a reminder of what they have learned.

Additional Notes