Target: Good Reasons NOT To Teach Dewey

[Cathy Subbiondo <CATHY5555@AOL.COM>]

As a recent graduate I am starting a job next month in a 1-5 elementary
school library. I'm trying to break away from the traditional pattern of
teaching the Dewey Decimal System to the students. While I believe students
need to become acquainted with different sections of the library and its
collection I don't feel that this should be learned by drill and practice
even if it is done in the form of a game. Just as I did the kids will learn
by doing not by being force fed. I hate teaching that way, the kids hate
listening and sitting through it, they don't learn it, and there are better
things we could be doing together with that time. It just seems an excellent
way to turn kids off to books. I anticipate a lot of opposition.

Anyway, I want to have my arguments ready when I present this to the other
Librarians in the district, especially the Middle School Librarian who gets
my children after they leave me, as well as the principal because I'm
assuming I will need to clear a change like this. A college mentioned that
the "how" of teaching DDS is still up to me.
What supportive arguments can you recommend? I'm so grateful for this forum.
Thanks in advance.

Cathy Subbiondo, Library Media Specialist
Harbor Hill Elementary School
Roslyn, New York
work:(516)625-6399
home: cathy5555@aol.com

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