Story

MLIS 5050 Anita Story Feb. 12, 2008

Information Literacy Lesson Plan - the Dewey Decimal System for 3rd grade

Pre-Assessment

The third grade students at New Prospect Elementary School were given a Pre-Test assessment (see attachment). This Pre-Test included questions about where to find nonfiction books and the Dewey Decimal Call numbers. On the Pre-Test, there was one question about where to find nonfiction books, one question about where to find the Call number on a book, and five questions on Dewey Decimal System Call numbers. Most of the third grade students (45 out of 51) knew where to find nonfiction books and the Call number on a book. However, on the five questions about Dewey Decimal Call numbers, none were proficient with a score of 80% or above (see needs assessment attachment).

Standard and Goal

3.2.spi.14. identify the most reliable source of information for preparing a report. Third grade students will locate nonfiction books on given topics using the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

Instructional Objective

The Learner Will locate nonfiction books using the Dewey Decimal System and correctly identify 4 of 5 classifications for given topics to score 80% on the Post- Test assessment.

Materials, Media, and other Resources

Computer Lab setting with access to Internet and LCD projector and computers for each student; assessment tool (Pre-Test attachment); pencils; 30 index cards with nonfiction book titles; and card stock with printouts for each of the 10 Dewey Classifications

Set Induction:

The students will enter the computer lab and be seated on the floor for story sharing. On the LCD projector, the teacher librarian will have the story, Dewey and the Alian, found at “Do We” Really Know Dewey? http://library.thinkquest.org/5002/index.shtml The teacher librarian will share this story and the “Pre Dew Review” from this site.

Instructional Sequence


 * 1) Students will find this site on their individual computers and explore “Do We” Really Know Dewey? by clicking on the icons for Meet Melvil, Let's “Dew” It, and Quizzes and Puzzles. The teacher librarian will monitor progress and encourage the students to see how well they can do on the Quizzes and Puzzles.
 * 2) Students will be directed to the nonfiction section of the school library. The teacher librarian will have card stock printouts for each of the 10 Dewey Classifications.
 * 3) As the teacher librarian places each printout in the correct nonfiction area of the library shelves, the students will participate with the teacher librarian to create a movement or motion that helps them remember what kinds of books are found in this section (pretending to drive a car or type on a computer for the Science & Technology section).
 * 4) After each of the printouts have been placed, the students should be familiar enough with the nonfiction sections to start locating books. The teacher librarian will randomly pass out index cards containing the title of a nonfiction book that can be located on the shelves using the Dewey Classification System.
 * 5) Students will then be allowed to find the book for their index card, raise their hand, and wait for the teacher librarian to check and return their book to the shelf. The students may then choose another index card and locate another book.

Closure

After all students have successfully located one or two books, the students will be seated to review the Dewey Classifications and the movement or motion that helps them to remember each of the ten sections. The teacher librarian may then ask the students about locating books in the nonfiction section and referring to the activity, “Who found 3 books?” or “Who found more than 3 books?”.

Adaptation and Extensions

The site “Do We” Really Know Dewey? Could be used for more than one lesson or computer lab time. It contains a lot of good information and fun activities. The activity using book titles on index cards to locate nonfiction books could be a competition with students being divided into teams. Book titles could also include the Call number and be located on any shelf in the library.

Assessment The students will be given the same assessment tool (see attachment) as a Post-Test to compare results for gains.

Reflection

I collaborated with my school librarian, Becky Hayes, when doing my Needs Assessment. She wanted the third grade students to become more familiar with the nonfiction section of the library and the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Then, Prilla suggested the site, “Do We” Really Know Dewey?. I am looking forward to teaching this lesson, because the students will participate in the activities.