DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM
WEBQUEST
A Learning Center WebQuest
for Fifth Graders
Designed by:
Sue Hunt
shunt@atlantic.k12.ia.us
Introduction|Task|Process|Resources|Evaluation|Conclusion
Introduction
The Dewey Decimal System is a system used to classify, shelve, and find books
in libraries by grouping them into 10 categories. Melvil Dewey, one of the
greatest librarians of all time came up with this idea. Melvil Dewey was born
in Adams Center, NY in 1851. He died in 1931. In 1876, he founded the American
Library Association and published the first Library Journal, which included
new library trends and book reviews. Mr. Dewey opened the first library school
in 1887 at Columbia University. The Dewey Decimal System is used to classify
both nonfiction and fiction books.
Task
You will complete the tasks below to learn more about the Dewey
Decimal System:
Learn about the man behind the system
Learn the basic 10 Dewey categories
Learn what a call number is
Learn the "top to bottom" and "left to right" rules
Apply your new knowledge: create a Power Point presentation
When you are finished you and your team can announce:
"Do
we know Dewey?"
"Do we?"
"Dewey?"
"Boy! Do we!"
Procedure
You will be assigned a partner who will work with you to complete the this webquest. Each partner will need to be responsible for his/her own papers, however, you can work together to complete the assignments.
Day 1: Today you and your partner will read information from the site below in order to learn more about Melvil Dewey. What you learn can be entered into the form below and printed out for your teacher. Store your print out in your library folder.
http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/biography/default.htm
Melvil Dewey Form
Day 2:
Now that you know a little about the man who invented the Dewey Decimal System
you are ready to learn about the system itself. Click on the link below to
read about the DDS. When you finish reading about the DDS you will be ready
to play a game using your new knowledge.
Read about the DDS here
The DDS Game
Day 3: Call numbers are an important part of the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Today you will have an opportunity to find books using the call numbers