1. Created by: Jana Bowling
Understanding and Using The Dewey Decimal System For Middle School Students
This powerpoint can be used to instruct students about the Dewey Decimal Classification System. It describes what the system is, how to find a book, and the different classifications. By including books from the FSMS media center, I hope to help students identify with the information they want to find.
Created by: Jana Bowling

2. 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.
Be sure to emphasize that the system was created years ago, but it still works – we’ve just had to keep updating and adding categories.

3. 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.

4. 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.
Since this talk will be in the library, we could also use some of our time to look at the books in the media center and identify the different classifications via the call numbers.
This book indicates that it is a reference book, as well as giving its Dewey number.

5. 000-099- General Knowledge, Information, Computer Science
This is where you find dictionaries and encyclopedias.
Review
The next slides detail the different types of books that are in each section. Make sure students understand the variety of books that can be located in each section.
: This was a section that originally did not have things like computer science, but ending up incorporating it because of the volume of resources that were being developed.

6. 100-199 – Philosophy and Psychology
This is where you can find books about how people think and why they think the way they do.
: Mention that this is where you find info about the brain or where you can find self help books.

7. Religion
This is where you can find books about different religions and spiritual practices.

8. – Social Sciences
This is where you can find information about different jobs and social issues in the world.
: Information about the environment, social issues, communication, jobs, etc.

9. Language
This is where you find information about different languages.
ELA8C1
Students need to know how to use punctuation correctly; in the eighth grade, students take the writing test, so this is especially important.
: We have a lot about the English Language here, but you can usually find information about other languages as well.
Review

10. 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.

11. Technology
This is where you find information concerning advances made by humans, like medicine, farming, building, etc.
: Technology is different from just what we may consider technology. Impress upon the students what technology truly is: advances made by humans. This even includes taming animals, hence pets being in this category!
Review

12. Arts and Recreation
This is where you find information about different types of arts, music, and sports.
: This is where you can find information on music, games, art, sports, performances, etc.

13. Literature
This is where you can find information about different literature, how to write literature, and criticism of literature.

14. 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.

15. Biographies - 920
We keep our biographies in a separate section, but they are cataloged under the 920s.

16. 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:

17. 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: 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: [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.

18. 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.