Library Game
One might think that getting kids interested in the Dewey Decimal System would be problematic. I mean, really. Most adults would glaze over if I started talking with them about the number system for finding books in the library. And, frankly, when I started library school I was a little worried that I would have to memorize the call numbers. (We barely covered the Dewey Decimal System, and there was never a test on it!)
Anyway, I was surprised that my students were pretty easily engaged during my lessons about nonfiction. So much so, that we filled extra time on many days with pop quizzes about the classifications and call numbers. On the fly, I would come up with treasure hunts so they could compete to find books. That is why I decided to design a game around call numbers. It’s called “What’s my number?” and it is a series of riddles that are printed on bookmarks.
The game can be customized to fit your needs. You can use it to fill a moment or two before the teacher arrives, or you can embed it into a larger lesson. Here are my suggestions for using the “What’s my number?” bookmarks.
1) Print enough bookmarks for the whole class, but try not to duplicate too much so the kids are not stumbling over one another to get to the books.
2) Have students work alone, in pairs, or in small groups. This will depend on the age of the students and how much they already know about the Dewey Decimal System. Have them read the clues on the bookmark, then write in the call number.
3) Provide lots of signage in the library directing students to books by decimal number. You could also give handouts for each student or each table of students, which list the classifications and subsequent call numbers.
4) Decide whether you want students to use only their memories, signage in the library, or handouts. You could also allow them to use your computerized cataloging system, if you have a computer lab in your library media center.
5) Choose whether you want students to write in one of the ten main classes, the Hundred Division, or the Thousand section. (Example: 300, 340, or 345 respectively) Instruct the students accordingly. Visit the OCLC website for a detailed list of the classifications. http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/summaries.en.html
6) Decide whether you want students to go to the shelf and find a book in that classification. If so, have them write the call number on the bookmark. Then have them go to the shelf and find a book with that call number labeled on it. Alternatively, you could just have them find a title in your online catalog. In that case, have them write the title on the back of the bookmark.
7) Allow students to earn something for bringing you the correct call number and/or a book from the correct classification. It could be as simple as a star on a chart that is posted in the library. You could reward them with free time, or a trip to the treasure box. Be creative.
8) Tell them that this is not a race. I made the mistake as a new media specialist of having students see who could bring me the right book first. This caused them to run, and some of them got very frustrated when they could not complete the task as quickly as others. Make success achievable for everyone!
9) Laminate the kids' copies of the bookmarks so that you can use them again and again. Put a master copy of each printable template in a 3-ring binder. You can refer to it for the answers, as well.
10) Remember, you can customize this game to fit your needs. Leave a comment if you have other ways to make this work in a media center, classroom, public library, or at home.
Print out as many or as few of the bookmarks as you think you might use. Come back again and again for more numbers. When you find that your students love the game, you may decide to play all year long! Soon enough, they will be able to find materials in the library all by themselves.
I will continue to add to the bookmarks, and would love for you to make suggestions to make it even better.
I hope this helps you. Have fun!
Tina
