1. Dewey Decimal Classification System
Presented to Second & Third Grade Students
Developed by Karen Ward
Library Media Specialist
Eichold-Mertz Elementary School
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2. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Questions
[1] How is information organized?
[2] What are the advantages of classifying information?
[3] Who created the DDCS?
[4] How are non-fiction books labeled using the DDCS?
[5] What the 10 classes in the DDCS?
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3. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Objectives
To understand that things and information can be organized into a classification system
To know that in a library information is organized using the Dewey Decimal Classification System
To know the brief history of the DDCS & its creator, Melvil Dewey
To know how books are labeled using the DDCS
Language Objectives
To orally discuss ideas & concepts in a small group
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4. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Vocabulary
Organize
Classify
Label
Melvil Dewey
Dewey Decimal Classification System
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5. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Procedures
Divide into 7 groups of 4
Work as a group of 4 to organize objects in given bag and orally name the category, or class, of each object
Have students discuss advantages for organizing or classifying things and information
(provides order in a collection–storage & location- and in presentation-understanding & education )
Listen to a brief history of Melvil Dewey & his development of the DDCS – think-quad-share new info with group & need to organize printed materials in the library
(librarian, organized ALA, 1st editor of Library Journal, connected knowledge to man’s need & use of information)
Explain the Big 10
Explain the call number – number & 1st 3 letters of author’s name
Use 000 Generalities as an example – encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference works
Give each group one of the 10 and find one or two examples of each: write the title and call number on the back; share findings to class
Provide each with a DDCS brochure to fiind a personal topic of interest based on DDCS
Review [1] How is information organized? [2] What are the advantages of classifying information? [3] Who created the DDCS? [4] How are non-fiction books labeled using the DDCS? [5] What the 10 classes in the DDCS?
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6. Organization - Classification
Work in small groups of 3 or 4
Organize items into groups, or classes, by discussing similarities of items
Label, or classify, each group
Report orally the classifications created by each small group
Applaud each presentation
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7. Who created the Dewey Decimal Classification System?
Melvil Dewey was born on December 10, 1851
Melvil Dewey created the number order system for library books when he was 21 years old.
Melvil Dewey started the first school for librarians.
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8. Ten Main Classifications in Dewey’s System
The world’s knowledge is divided into 10 categories or groups.
Each group has a main title and is represented by three numbers.
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9. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
The Big Ten!
Generalities – 000
Philosophy – 100
Religion – 200
Social Science – 300
Language – 400
Science & Math – 500
Technology – 600
The Arts – 700
Literature – 800
Geography & History - 900
Brings order to the massive amount of world knowledge
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10. You Can Judge A Book by Its Cover!
The Dewey Decimal Classification call number can be found on the spine label.
Why?
When the book is shelved, the Dewey Decimal Classification call number can be easily seen.
200Bya
500
Lee
000
Mea
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11. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Generalities - 000
Encyclopedias
News media
Rare Books
Encyclopedias, References
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12. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Philosophy - 100
Paranormal phenomena
Psychology
Logic
Man thinks
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13. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Religion - 200
Bible
History of Christianity
Other Religions
About God
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14. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Social Science - 300
Law
Education
Folklore
About man’s neighbors
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15. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Language - 400
English
Spanish
Other Languages
Man talks with other men
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16. Natural Science & Math - 500
Mathematics
Earth sciences
Plants
Animals
Man discovers all that is around him
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17. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Technology – 600
Medicine
Agriculture
Family living
Man makes useful things
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18. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
The Arts - 700
Drawing
Music
Recreational & performing arts
Man makes beautiful things
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19. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Literature - 800
American Literature
Old English Literature
Literatures of Other Languages
Man writes
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20. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Geography & History - 900
Geography
Biographies
Ancient History
Man writes about
travel, people, and
events
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21. Flashback! What Do You Remember?
Who created the Dewey Decimal Classification System?
What does the DDCS do for our library?
How many main classifications are there?
Where do you find the DDCS number on a library book?
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22. Source: http://www.pppst.com/library.html
Resources Used…
All clipart taken from the Microsoft Clipart web site:
Information on the Dewey Decimal Classification taken from:
Weisburg, H. & Toor, R. Teacher’s Portfolio of Library Skills Lessons & Activities (1985). The Center for Applied Research in Education, Inc.
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