The Dewey Decimal System
The Dewey Decimal System
When you have finished this Quest you will know more about the Dewey Decimal System. Remember to try a Dewey-related game to test your knowledge.
Click on the appropriate Dewey to begin the Library exercise on the Dewey Decimal Classification System.
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The Dewey Decimal System is a method used to classify and shelve books in libraries by first grouping them into 10 basic categories.
Instructions for using web sites.
Everything that you need to find is on the following websites.
1. Read the question (and the hint if there is one)
2. Go to the site by clicking on the blue words under the question.
3. Read the information in the sites.
4. Record your answers on the worksheet.
5. When you have finished answering the questions, play a game!
1. Who invented the Dewey Decimal System? What are three contributions he made to libraries?
Hint: Click on Meet Melvil on the navigation bar
2. Do most school and public libraries use the Dewey Decimal System?
Hint: Look for a box that has the words "Did you Know..."
BCCL's Dewey Decimal Classification Page
3. What Dewey category contains information on cookbooks, engineering and inventions?
4. Why are the ten major classes of Dewey's system sub-divided into smaller areas?
Hint: You have to think about the answer to this one once you've looked at the web page. The page doesn't tell you specifically why the categories are divided, you have to tell me why!
5. Wait one minute! I thought Dewey numbers were only for non-fiction books! Under what numbers can we find fiction books in Dewey's system?
6. What is an easy way to remember the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
During the course of this activity you should have learned:
1. Libraries are organized so that books can easily be found on the shelves. Many libraries use the same system so once you know how to find books in one library, you can use your knowledge in almost any other library, too!
2. Melvil Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal System, and helped libraries in other ways.
3. How the Dewey Decimal Sytem assigns books numbers based on their subject.
4. How to always remember the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.
Answer the questions and earn a Dewey Master Medal. Click on the blue button next to the correct answer.
Challenge your knowledge with this matching game
Here are some links to other school and library websites that have fun games to play and learn about how we organize our Non-fiction library books.
Read a story about Dewey and the Alien
Use this site to play a game to test your knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System
http://www.pacheco.k12.ca.us/lib/Dewey/Dewey.htm
http://educ.queensu.ca/~citc/august99/webqst2.htm#Top%20of%20Page
* Lesson plan source :Education World (http://www.education-world.com)
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First, read the following story:
Today, a quick sprint from the door to the rug -- the "booking it marathon" -- resulted in two boys and the contents of a cart of brand-new books on the floor in one large heap! Ms. Overn had had enough.
"You boys need to slow down! Your behavior is a menace in this library," said Ms. Overn. "This time, you'll straighten up your own mess," she added in a voice that told the boys that she meant business. With a deep breath, Ms. Overn rolled the cart beside the twins and told them to gather up the books and to come to her desk after they had picked up all of them.
Heads hanging low, Huey and Louie did as they were told. Soon they presented themselves with their cart of books, and Ms. Overn presented them with a challenge.
"Boys, we don't simply put books anywhere in the library. The students couldn't find them if they weren't in order. You have mixed up the new books that need to be filed. Now you will fix them," the librarian stated. Huey and Louie exchanged curious glances.
"We use the Dewey decimal system to organize our books," said Ms. Overn, handing a paper to Huey. "Huey, you read the title of the book and find its category. Louie, you put the books in order so that we can put them on the shelves. Above all, boys, put your feet in 'park.' No running is required in this job."*
Ms. Overn returned to her desk, and the boys stared hopelessly at the paper. Maybe you can help the boys straighten out their mess.