Dewey Decimal Hotlist for Librarians

Dewey Decimal Hotlist for Librarians
An Internet Hotlist on The Dewey Decimal System

created by Linda Reilly
Plymouth Community Intermediate School Library

Introduction

This librarian's list of links was created to classify Dewey Decimal information found on the Internet that could be used in teaching the Dewey Decimal System to students. First, the search was conducted to identify simplified Dewey Decimal schedules for student use/reference. Second, tutorials to be used as a lesson, or part of a lesson, were sought. A tutorial was defined as a multi-part lesson that may include interactive quizzes and games, a PowerPoint presentation, or accompanying worksheets. Some tutorials incorporated WebQuests in the lesson. Third, URL's arranged by DDS for children were tested and listed if most links were active. Finally, the list contains WebQuests, to see what others have done; and professional articles containing ideas to teach the Dewey Decimal System. It is hoped this hotlist will assist other librarians in creating original lessons.

The Internet Resources

DDS System Classes Listed

Quick Tips- How to use the Dewey Decimal System - This school library site provides a PDF print out of the ten main classes of the Dewey Decimal System and the subdivisions in each main class. The print out can be used as part of a lesson or to give to students to place in a binder as a library guide.
Dewey Decimal in the UIUC Bookstacks - This Dewey Decimal schedule from the University of Illinois Library shows the full Dewey schedule for each hundred number. For students who want to see more numbers (there are always a few).
Dewey Decimal System - This simple Dewey page from the Westfield School IMC is well suited to younger students. Colorful chart of ten main classes and selected subjects under each main class.
Oswego Public Library - A detailed list of the Dewey classes by tens. Nicely laid out. Good to show the relationship of subjects within a class.
Dewey Decimal System as Seen Through Media Archive - A PowerPoint presentation of the DDS ten main classes with archival quality pictures depicting some of the subclasses within each class. Unusual presentation. Would be great for use with a WebQuest looking for 'works of art' in each Dewey class, or cooperative research lesson with an art teacher.
Dewey Decimal Guide - Appleton Public Library's subject guide to Dewey Decimal numbers. A reverse look-up. Students might identify subjects or uncataloged book titles, then look up the Dewey numbers as part of a lesson.

URL's by Dewey Number

Monroe Public Library Dewey Decimal System Page - This public library organizes a side-by-side comparison of both children's book titles and URL's for kids, arranged by Dewey Decimal numbers. Click on the 'Kids' section of the opening page.
Dewey Browse - Dewey Decimal System for grades K-12. Gail Grainger's site at Chesterfield School, Chesterfield, New Hampshire. A librarian's URL list suitable for demonstrating subject areas in the classes or to incorporate into a Web lesson.
Morton Grove Public Library - Choose 'Kidlinks' to search URL's by DDS. Kid friendly web sites to use for examples in each class. Useful to incorporate in a Web lesson.
KidsClick! - Click the 'Librarians' view at the bottom of the page to see URL's for kids arranged by Dewey Decimal number.
Morrison-Reeves Public Library - Another library children's section with a side-by-side comparison of both book titles and URL's for kids, arranged by Dewey Decimal Numbers.

Tutorials

Newport Mill Middle School Dewey Decimal Lesson Page - A library page from a school in MD that is a Web lesson in itself. Begins with the essential question-'how do we locate information resources effectively and efficiently in a library?' To describe the physical arrangement of a library there are 3 links to tutorial sites that explain the DDS. Explains the building of Dewey numbers by digit. Ends the lesson with a worksheet and directions for students.
Take a tour of the DDC - The tour 'Dewey to the Rescue', is a multimedia flash presentation which explains how the Dewey Decimal System is used to classify books. May stand alone as a lesson or be incorporated into a larger lesson or WebQuest.
Science Net - The Toronto Public Library in Canada brings us this site, which classifies science topics by the Dewey Decimal System and lists URL's. Be careful - some sites are in French. If you are not fluent in French just arrow down the page. There are many age appropriate links for each class! This site would be good for a Dewey refresher as part of lesson preparing students for science project research.
Library Labyrinth - From the Brooklyn Museum. Colorful tutorial with an explanation of the DDS as part of a broader tutorial on classification. Explains the 10 basic classes. There is a matching interactive linking subjects to Dewey numbers. Elementary level.
Let's Do Dewey - This is part of a larger tutorial from Middle Tennessee State University. Best to be used as part of a teacher led lesson. Use the biography of Dewey, the DDS section, and the Dewey call number order section to introduce how the digit by digit order works. The other links on the site are for college level.
Do the Dewey - From the Middletown Thrall Library in New York. This tutorial has three sections. The first tests one's knowledge of the DDS and consists of interactive games for which there are three levels of difficulty. The second section contains a Dewey biography. The third section is a simple listing of the DDS ten main classes and an example of the breakdown by ten's demonstrated with the 400's. The last section is done in rather large font, which would make it suitable to project on a screen while doing a lesson requiring students to go the shelves.
The Story of the Dewey Decimal System - An explanation of the origin of the DDS using the traditional cave man division of knowledge. There is a link to the LM Net post that has ideas for teaching the DDS. The last three links are to interactive quizzes for students. Can use this site as a lesson or incorporate into a larger lesson or WebQuest.
Information Literacy Skills-Locating Information - Eugene,OR school district site. Dewey lesson section in three parts; the call number, Dewey logic, locating a book. Excellent presentation on call numbers and arrangement. Can be used as is, or incorporated into a Webquest or lesson.
Library Skills Game - From Bardonia Elementary School Library. An interactive skills game incorporating several concepts including the Dewey Decimal System.
What is the Dewey Decimal System? - The Kids' Web Site page at Casis Elementary School in Austin, TX. The first page of this site has introductory information that could be used in a teacher presented lesson. At the top of the page is a directory to URL's arranged by Dewey number, suitable for use in Web lessons because most of the sites are for kids. There are some dead links and in the religion section sites that are too involved for the intended audience.
Dewey Decimal System - A slide show complete with sound effects with a basic explanation of the DDS. The sound effects would keep students interested but some may be distracted. From Tyrell Middle School Library.
Introduction to the Dewey Decimal System - From Abraxas HS in Poway, CA. This is an explanation of the origin of the DDS using the original cave man story with great new graphics. Could be used as is in a lesson.
Dewey Decimal Game - The Story Lady of Dug Gap Elementary School in Georgia offers a lesson plan to a game she uses to teach the Dewey Decimal System.
Shelving Game - An information skills activity from the Southampton Institute. Short but useful tutorial. Students drag the books to arrange call numbers, then check their work. Use as part of a Web lesson.
Caveman Theory of the Dewey Decimal Classification - Another version of the origin of the DDS which includes on one page; the caveman story, the DDS ten main classes, and a PowerPoint presentation of the cave story. This could be used as a teacher presented lesson as is or in a WebQuest.

WebQuests

Help! I'm Locked in the Library - A new Dewey WebQuest done by a group of Barnstable teachers in the Bridgewater ED523 Fall 2003 group. There are a limited number of links that make the Quest more useful. The links are to KidsClick and Morrison-Reeves Public Library Children's site. In the selection of kid's portals for use in a WebQuest, it is important to make certain the URL's are suitable. This Quest does.
Be a Super Sleuth- Can you solve Dewey? - A WebQuest about the Dewey Decimal System in which students are asked to create a PowerPoint presentation. This is for elementary level. The Do You Know Dewey? Thinkquest link is dead in the resources section, which is where the student would find the best Dewey information. Good example of a Webquest, but limited in use.
Dewey Decimal System WebQuest - This WebQuest is a good example of a WebQuest, but most of the links are outdated. The one that is still available, has a changed URL.
I'm a Pioneering Librarian - An example of a WebQuest for elementary students that incorporates subject matter with the DDS. Links only to four Thinkquest projects, some of which have changed URL's.
Meet Melville - Do We Know Dewey? - Dewey and the Alien - A ThinkQuest site that introduces the Do We Really Know Dewey ThinkQuest, contains the Quest in it's entirety including Dewey and the Alien. This Quest does not depend on many external URL links, so it is still timely and portions, or the whole, can be used as is.
Dewey Decimal System - A WebQuest made by Brad Foster, Pikesville Middle School for the Maryland Technology Lab. The ThinkQuest links and one other link are dead. Example of a WebQuest.

Professional Reads

Dewey Directory Print Out - A librarian's posting from LM Net offers a Dewey Decimal lesson complete with graphics to print out. Major classes and subclasses are illustrated pictorially.
If You Knew Dewey - Article in LookSmart (looksmartfindarticles.com retrieved Feb 20, 2004) originally published in School Library Journal, August, 2001, by Sarah Prescott. A professional resource - discusses teaching the DDS.
Dewey Made Fun: a novel ways for kids to learn the classification system online. - Another professional article from School Library Journal August, 2002, by Gail Junion-Metz (looksmartfindarticles.com retrieved Feb 20, 2004)suggesting ways to teach the DDS.

Content by Linda Reilly , lreilly@plymouth.k12.ma.us
http://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/listthedeweli.html
Last revised Tue Feb 24 13:52:01 US/Pacific 2004