Dewey Decimal Classification By Julie Pszczola (Microsoft Office Online, 2008)

Scope of lesson This lesson is intended for 3 rd graders. This will be an introductory lesson to the Dewey Decimal System. The lesson will begin with the students taking the pretest. Then, working in groups, students will begin to sort grocery items. They will need to discuss why they are placing certain things. Connect this to the way a library is arranged, with similar things being placed together. Show the power point to the students. If time permits, play Dewey game. Students will take the post test.

Do you have a lot of books? Can you always find the one you are looking for quickly? (Microsoft Office Online, 2008)

Look around the library. Libraries have lots and lots of books. (Microsoft Office Online, 2008)

How do we know where to look for different books? (Microsoft Office Online, 2008)

A long time ago, a librarian named Melvil Dewey, invented a way to organize the library.

When you look at the spine of a non fiction book, you will see a call number. This is Dewey’s great idea MC

The Dewey Decimal System is broken down into 100s. Each hundred is for a different subject.

The 000’s are for General Works You will find encyclopedias, almanacs and books about museums here. This is a special section that Dewey made for all the things that were not thought of yet.

100 The 100’s are for Philosophy and Psychology This is the area for books about how we think and act.

200 The 200’s are for Religion This section is for books about how people got here and why we are here.

300 The 300’s are for Social Sciences This section is for books about how people live, the things they do and folklore. This is social studies.

400 The 400’s are for Language This section is where the books about how we communicate with each other are found. Books about different languages are here too.

500 The 500’s are for Science This is where Dewey put all the books about math and science. Click for review

600 The 600’s are for Technology or Applied Science This is for books about what to do with science and math. Click for review

700 The 700’s are for Arts and Recreation This is where all the books about the things we like to do for fun can be found.

800 The 800’s are for Literature This is where all the books by famous authors, poetry and plays can be found.

900 The 900’s are for History and Geography This is where books about places people in the past can be found. Click for review

Now that you know how the non fiction books are organized, it will be easier for you to find the books you want. Non fiction books are shelved in number order, so all the books about the same subject will be close together!

GPS ELA3LSV1 The student uses oral and visual strategies to communicate. The student a. Adapts oral language to fit the situation by following the rules of conversation with peers and adults. b. Recalls, interprets, and summarizes information presented orally. c. Uses oral language for different purposes: to inform, persuade, or entertain. d. Listens to and views a variety of media to acquire information. ELA3R1 The student demonstrates the ability to read orally with speed, accuracy, and expression. The student a. Applies letter-sound knowledge to decode quickly and accurately. b. Reads familiar text with expression. c. Reads third-grade texts at a target rate of 120 words correct per minute. d. Uses self-correction when subsequent reading indicates an earlier misreading within grade-level text Georgia Performance Standards. (2011). Retrieved from Georgia Performance Standards. (2011). Retrieved from

References Ames, L.J. & Budd, W. (1993). Draw 50 Endangered Animals. New York, NY: Watson-Guptill Baker, P. J. (1987). My first book of sign. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. Bauer, C. F. (1994). Snowy day stories & poems. New York, NY: Harpercollins Childrens Books Breitsprecher. Mr. Breitsprecher’s Dewey Challenge. Retrieved from Catrow, D. (2002). We the kids. New York, NY: Dial publishing. Cleary, B. P. (2002). Dearly, nearly, insincerely: What is an adverb? Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. Cooper, C. (1992) Eyewitness science: Matter. New York, NY: DK Publishing Deedrick, T. (1998). Construction workers. Mankato, MN: Coughlan Publishing. Eyewitness Books. (2011). Aztecs, Inca & Maya. New York, NY: DK Publishing Emberly, E. (1992). Ed emberly’s drawing book of faces. Boston, MA: lb kids. Geehan, W. (2002). Sir cumference and the dragon of pi: (A math adventure). Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing. Hamilton, S. (2007). Monsters of mystery: Unsolved mysteries. Edina, MS: Abdo Pub Co Hochstatter, D. (2003). Look ‘n learn Italian picture dictionary. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill. Igus, T. (1998). I see the rhythm. New York, NY: Children's Book Press. Kessler, L. (1993). Old turtle’s 90 knock knocks, jokes & riddles. New York, NY: Harpercollins Childrens Books. Krull, K. & Hewitt K. (2010). Lives of the pirates: Swashbucklers, scoundrels (neighbors beware!). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Lambert, D. (1987). Maps and globes. London: Franklin Watts. Lathrop, D. P. (1937). Animals of the bible. New York, NY: Harpercollins Childrens Books.

References continued Lindeen, C. (2006). Let’s play basketball. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. Macaulay, D. (2000). Building Big. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. MacMillan, D. M. (2008). Martin luther king jr. day. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Elementary. Morley. J. (2002). You wouldn't want to be an american pioneer!: A wilderness you'd rather not tame. United Kingdom: Children’s Press. Mound, L. (2007). Insects. New York, NY: DK Publishing. Orgil, D. & Schecter, E. (1994). The flower of sheba. New York, NY: Bank Street Publishing. Parker, S. (2003). Energy. New York, NY: Heinemann Library Paperbacks. Richardson. J. (1994). Aiplanes. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. Rosenthal, A. K. (2006). Cookies: Bite size life lessons. New York, NY: Harpercollins Childrens Books. Seuss, Dr.(1997). Seuss-isms: Wise and witty prescriptions for living from the good doctor. New York, NY: Random House Publishing Silverstein, S. (1981). Light in the attic. New York, NY: Harpercollins Childrens Books. Small, M. (2005). Being a good citizen: A book about citizenship (way to be!). North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. Tang, M. (2003).Math appeal: Mind-stretching math riddles. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. Thompson, C. (2003). Mr. wiggle loves to read. :Brighter Child.