Understanding and Using The Dewey Decimal System For Middle School Students

UNDERSTANDING AND USING THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Created by: Jana Bowling

What is the Dewey Decimal System?

A system established by Melvin Dewey that classifies texts in the library.

Texts are classified by subject matter.

Every subject matter has a specific classification.

Why do I need to know about the Dewey Decimal System? To help you find a book in the media

center. When researching, it is important to

know what section you should look in. It is a well-known system that is used in

many libraries around the country, so you can use the knowledge elsewhere.

Where do I find the Dewey number?The Dewey number is located on the spine of the book; you can see the Dewey numbers when you look at the books on the shelves.

This book indicates that it is a reference book, as well as giving

its Dewey number.

000-099- General Knowledge, Information, Computer Science This is where you find dictionaries and

encyclopedias.

Review

100-199 – Philosophy and Psychology This is where you can find books about

how people think and why they think the way they do.

200-299 - Religion This is where you can find books about

different religions and spiritual practices.

300-399 – Social Sciences This is where you can find information

about different jobs and social issues in the world.

400-499 - Language This is where you find information about

different languages.

Review

ELA8C1Students need to know how to use punctuation correctly; in the eighth grade, students take the writing test, so this is especially important.

500-599 – Science and Mathematics This is where you find information about

the different sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) and mathematics.

SL73, 5

In 7th grade Life Science, students learn about genetic traits that are passed from organism to organism.

600-699 - Technology This is where you find information

concerning advances made by humans, like medicine, farming, building, etc.

Review

700-799 - Arts and Recreation This is where you find information about

different types of arts, music, and sports.

800-899 - Literature This is where you can find information

about different literature, how to write literature, and criticism of literature.

900-999 – History and Geography This is where you find information about

the history and geography of different places from around the world.

SS6G12-14, CG6-7, E8-10, H8-9

Students learn about Australia in the 6th grade; this book could be a great resource for them.

Biographies - 920 We keep our biographies in a separate

section, but they are cataloged under the 920s.

The Assignment In your groups, you will write a story and/or

draw a picture that explains the different categories of the Dewey Decimal System.

You must demonstrate a clear understanding of each category by including the category name, call number, and brief description.

Example: http://library.thinkquest.org/5002/

References:Arnau, E.(1995). The Skeletal System. New York : Chelsea House Publishers.Bingham, J. (2007). Australia. Chicago : Heinemann Library. Carle, M. (2004). Teens cook : how to make what you want to eat. Berkeley, Calif. : Ten Speed Press.Caron, L. (2000). Percents and ratios. Berkeley Heights, NJ : Enslow Publishers.Davidson, T. (2003). Prejudice. New York : Franklin Watts.“Do We Really Know Dewey?” Retrieved from: http://library.thinkquest.org/5002/DuTemple, L. (2003). The Pantheon. Minneapolis, MN : Lerner Publications. Farrell, T. (2006). Write your own mystery story. Minneapolis, MN : Compass Point Books.Feldman, R. (2004). World War I. Minneapolis, MN : Lerner.Fitzgerald, S. (2006). Struggling for Civil Rights. Chicago : Raintree.Freedman, J. (2005). How do we know about genetics and heredity. New York : Rosen Pub. Group.Glenday, C. (2006). Guinness World Records: 2007. [London] : Guinness World Records.Gunter, V. (2006). Pet science : 50 purr-fectly woof-worthy activities for you & your pets. New York : Lark Books. Hammond , R. Can you feel the force? (2000). New York : DK Pub.Harley, A. (2001). Leap into poetry : more ABCs of poetry. Honesdale, Pa. : Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.Healy, N. (2006). Billy the kid. Mankato, Minn. : Creative Education. Henderson, H. (2006). Computer Viruses. Detroit : Lucent Books : Thomson/Gale.Holy Bible the Old and New Testaments : King James Version. (1973). Nashville, TN : Holman Bible Publishers.Johnson, R. L. (2006). Nanotechnology. Minneapolis, MN : Lerner. Kelly, E. (1997). Paper airplanes : models to build and fly. Minneapolis, MN : Lerner Publications. Kennedy, M. (2003). Football. New York : F. Watts. Lehman, D. (2006). The Oxford Book of American Poetry. New York : Oxford University Press.Morris, N. (2004). Earth's changing deserts. Chicago : Raintree.Owens, L. L. (2000). Tales of Rudyard Kipling : retold timeless classics. Logan, Iowa : Perfection Learning.

References: Paraquin, C. (1987). The world's best optical illusions. New York : Sterling Pub.Peterson, T. (2005). Tony Hawk, skateboarder and businessman. New York : Ferguson. Porterfield, J. (2006). Looking at the human impact on the environment with graphic organizers. New York : Rosen

Central.Romanek, T. (2004). Aha! : the most interesting book you'll ever read about intelligence. Tonawanda, NY : Kids Can

Press.Rominger, L. (2006). Extraordinary blogs and ezines. New York : F. Watts.Roy, J. R. (2004). You can write using good grammar. Berkeley Heights, NJ : Enslow Publishers.Salicrup, J. (2006). Totally spies!. New York : Papercutz : Distributed by Holtzbrinck Publishers. Sievert, T. (2005). UFOs. Minn. : Capstone Press.Terban, M. (2000). Punctuation power : punctuation and how to use it. New York : Scholastic Reference.Taylor-Butler, C. (2006). Thurgood Marshall. New York : Children's Press.Tym, K. & Worms, P. (2005). Coping with friends. Chicago : Raintree.Wand, K. (2004). VooDoo. Detroit : Thomson/Gale.Weigel, M. (2000). U·X·L encyclopedia of biomes. Detroit, MI : U·X·L.Woods, M. & Woods, M. (2000). Ancient communication : from grunts to graffiti. Minneapolis, MN : Runestone.