The Dewey Decimal System

Engage

Procedure: (1^st day)

Engage: Using the clicker system, the teacher will first actively engage the students in a series of survey questions about the Dewey Decimal System(attached). She will withhold the answers to this survey for later use in the lesson.

Although this  lesson is not about Melvil Dewey himself, the teacher will give a brief introduction of him.  Using the smartboard, a jigsaw puzzle picture of Melvil Dewey will be displayed.  The teacher will call on several students to come up and try to move the pieces into place to produce the face of  Dewey.  When this has been accomplished, the teacher will briefly tell who he was and how his system benefits those who wish to find books in a library. The teacher will then use an image of a grouping of books to explain how the system works. After the visual introduction and explanation by the teacher; the students will be asked to come forward one at a time and move a book on the smartboard ino the correct order position by using the Dewey Decimal System.  The class may raise their hands to help those who may be having trouble deciding the correct placement.

Explore

Explore:

            Students will be given an opportunity to peruse the library non-fiction section to see the Dewey numberings on the spines of books. The students will also be asked to pay attention to the different numbered sections and the information that is of associated with them.  Students will then go to a computer and browse the following websites, making themselves familiar with the subjects that are found under each number. An activity sheet will be given to each student to fill out as they are information gathering.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-dewey-decimal-system.htm

Explain

            Students will come back together in small groups of 4. .  The teacher will ask each student to share with their group what they learned from touring the non-fiction section of the library and what topics of interest where found under the Dewey Decimal Numbers websites they researched.  A spokesman from each group will share with the entire class the group findings. Any student that has an iPod/iPhone would be allowed to take notes and send it to the teachers e-mail address. A maximum of 5 points will be given for this assignment.

Elaborate

Elaborate: (2^nd day)

            Students will work in pairs to elaborate on their learning experience.  Each pair of students will be given a small flip video camera.  They will be directed to make a short film (2-3 min.) explaining what the Dewey Decimal System is. In addition they are to tell the audience what their favorite non-section is, explaining what numbers can be found in that section and giving the titles of several books found there. Students will present this video to the class using an LCD projector and whiteboard. Students may earn a maximum of 10 points for their project. A helpful YouTube video site is available to students to show how to take footage, how to connect  the flip video to the computer and how to find your video files.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApQcMQBnMg

Evaluate

Evaluate:(3^rd day)

            Using a cell phone and working in pairs, the student will take a picture of  book on a shelf, send the picture to his/her partner and by texting, ask the partner to find and bring that particular book back to the partner who requested it.  If the book matches up, the student will be given 5 points towards his final unit grade.

Assessment           

 A final unit grade will be determined by the accumulated points for each activity with 20 points being the maximum amount of points representing an A. The scale would be as follows: 

            Points               Grade

20-18                             A

17-15                             B

14-12                             C

11-10                             D

Under 10          F

            The clicker system will be used to again engage the students in the survey that was given them at the beginning of the lesson.  A graph would be displayed showing the students the number of answers they got right before and after the unit.  The graph will give a visual to the teacher and students as to the learning that took place. 

Extend

Extend:  (graded on 100 point scale)

            Students will be asked to further show their understanding of the DDS by choosing a final project.  This project may be one of their own creative thinking (teacher approval necessary)  or may be one of the following:

• give a short (1-2 min.) segment over the morning TV broadcast announcements  explaining what can be found in each Dewey Number section. This gives the students an opportunity to stir up some interest in the library while telling the student body what can be found and where. This would be presented in groups of 2 and would allow the students to be as creative as they want within acceptable guidelines.

• Write a poem that explains the DDS and display it in the library.  This poem would need to incorporate at least 10 Dewey concepts/skills.

• Present a lesson to a new group of students on how to use the  DDS. These could be students that are late comers and missed the first of the year library orientation, etc. This will be presented in a PowerPoint presentation.  Check out this link to gain information about how to create a professional presentation to better engage your audience:  http://www.nortellearnit.org/technology/PowerPoint_Presentations/

• Develop an informational  brochure on the DDS using Word or the FOSS such as OpenOffice or AbiWord.  These brochures could be on hand at the circulation desk as an informational tool for library patrons.