The Numbers in Nonfiction

We have learned the recipe for making a nonfiction call number. numbers (for the subject) first three letters of the author’s last name

Now let’s learn more about the numbers in a nonfiction call number.

How do we know what number goes with each subject ? By using something cool called The Dewey Decimal System !!

The Dewey Decimal System is a tool used to sort books into groups or categories

This system was invented by a man named Melvil Dewey. He was a librarian who lived long ago.

Sorting books by subject, what a brilliant idea!! In Melvil’s day there was no set way for library books to be organized. This made it hard for people to find the books they wanted, so Melvil started thinking and came up with a brilliant idea!! I think I’ve got it !!

10 general groups for sorting all of the subjects General means broad, lots of subjects will fit into each group. He decided it would make it easier to find books if they were grouped by subject, so first he came up with 10 general groups to use for sorting all subjects.

Here are the 10 general groups for sorting books in the Dewey Decimal System: General Works Philosophy Religion Social Studies Language Science Technology Arts and Leisure Literature History/Geography

This seems like a lot to remember, but don’t worry you’ll learn it all quickly. So let’s get going !!!!

Encyclopedias or The Guinness Book of Records 000s-General Works Books that fit in this group have many different subjects in them. Like: Encyclopedias or The Guinness Book of Records This is also where books on unexplained subjects would be found-like The Loch Ness Monster.

100s-Philosophy Books that fit in this group tell about how we think and feel.

200s-Religion Books in this group tell about different religions or stories from the bible.

Books in this group tell about how people live together. 300s-Social Studies Books in this group tell about how people live together. holidays and customs government, military

Fairy tales and folk tales are also placed in the 300s Fairy tales and folk tales are also placed in the 300s. Many were written to teach a lesson about behavior and.. That’s social studies.

400s-Language Books in this group are about different languages or grammar. noun verb adjective

Books in this group are about things from nature. 500s-Science Books in this group are about things from nature.

600s-Technology This group has books that are about man-made things.

700s-Arts and Leisure Books in this group are about things we do for fun.

Books in this group are stories, plays, or poetry. 800s-Literature Books in this group are stories, plays, or poetry. This is the group fiction books were put in long ago when The Dewey Decimal System was first invented.

You know, in ABC order, by author ! Today we have too many fiction books in our libraries to organize them in this way, so fiction books have their own way of being organized. Today we have too many fiction books in our libraries to organize them in this way, so fiction books have their own way of being organized. You know, in ABC order, by author !

900s-History/Geography Books in this group tell about events of the past and countries of the world.

Biography- 92 Don’t forget this group. It contains books about famous people’s lives.

Knowing these big groups will help make it easier to find the books you want in the nonfiction section.

Remember, nonfiction call numbers are placed in number order first, so that means all of the books about the same subject end up near each other on the shelf. That’s Smart !!!!

Let’s See What You’ve Learned Call numbers help us find the books we want to read !!!

1. What is the recipe for a nonfiction call number? Numbers (for the subject) First three letters in the author’s last name

2. What system tells us what numbers go with each subject? Dewey Decimal System

3. Who is responsible for inventing the Dewey Decimal System? Melvil Dewey

4. Mr. Dewey matched a number with each _____________. author subject title

5. All school libraries use the Dewey Decimal System. false true