I had an elementary library.
The problem with Dewey posters is that popular topics aren't named!
What can children make of "Philosophy," "Generalities," "Social
Sciences"?
Even the Charlie Brown and Cave Man story posters were dead-ends.
I made large number labels for the shelves
and then created an alphabetical poster, listing
the topics that my kids loved with their Dewey numbers.
Often, they would go after a topic they hadn't thought of
because they saw it in the list!
Second graders on up used it.
The poster also reinforced "see" references
and alphabetical order.
(By the way, don't list a topic unless
you have several books at that number.)
The poster went something like this:
AIRPLANES 387.7
AMERICAN REVOLUTION 973.3
ANIMALS, PETS 636
ANIMALS, WILD 590-599
AUTOMOBILES 629.222 & 388.3
BASEBALL 796.357
BASKETBALL 796.323
BIBLE 220
BIOGRAPHY (FAMOUS PEOPLE) 920
BIRDS 598
CARS see Automobiles
CATS 636.8
CIVIL WAR (U.S.) 973.7
COOKING 641.5
CRAFTS 745.5
DANCE 792.8
DINOSAURS 567.9
DOGS 636.7
EGYPT (ANCIENT) 932
FAIRY TALES 398.2
FAMOUS PEOPLE see Biography
GYMNASTICS 796.44
ICE HOCKEY 796.962
JOKES & RIDDLES 793.73
MAGIC TRICKS 793.8
MOTORCYCLES 629.227
MUSIC 780
MYTHS 292.1
PAPER AIRPLANES 629.133
etc.
The kids loved it!
If you can, survey the kids first to see
what topics they are interested in. Then
make up your poster. You could also make
laminated bookmarks similar to the poster. I made
booklets the kids could carry to the shelves.
Joan
Joan Kimball, Concord, Mass. woodkimball@juno.com
Retired from Hart's Hill School Library, Whitesboro NY
On Dec 29, 2004, at 4:41 PM, Robert Eiffert wrote:
> We have a similar problem with 6-8 grades....
>
> My library NF is along one loooong wall.
>
> I took down the Dewey Posters (the ones that show all 100's sections).
>
> My Library Aides (2 per period for a 12 week trimester) are charged
> with =
> two projects for 25-33% of their grade. For one of the
> projects, they each choose a 10's or even 1's (and in some cases, a =
> decimal) section, make a big sign (at least 8x11 or 8x14) with
> just the number. They choose style and color, limit is readability.
> And =
> then a similar size sign with what is there (Mammals, Cars,
> or Environment). And optional are either pictures (clip art for
> distant =
> readability) or smaller signs with more detailed topic
> (Lions, Tigers, and Bears). I give guidance to sections that need =
> signage, but kids make most final choices.=20
>
> The results are a bit chaotic and colorful, but classmates and student
> =
> aides seem to remember and help point out where to go better.
>
>
> Robert Eiffert, Librarian
> Pacific Middle School, Vancouver WA
> Pac.egreen.wednet.edu/library
> Beiffert at egreen wednet edu
> beiffert.net
>
> Kara Haggerty wrote:
>
>
>> I am a new school media specialist in a few elementary school =
> libraries.=A0 I
>> just organized the books in sections - Fiction, Non-fiction (by =
> Dewey),
>> Easy-Read and Reference.=A0 The books before were arranged so the
>> kids =
> could find them
>> easily, such as animals, weather, sports, etc, but not necessarily in
>> =
> Dewey
>> order.=A0 So, the kids are not familiar with Dewey and how to find =
> books since
>> they haven't had a librarian in a long time.=A0 I should also mention
>> =
> there is not
>> a working card catalog.
>> =20
>> Does anyone have any recommendations on how to label the sections, so
>> =
> the
>> kids will understand and be able to locate books?=A0 If I make
>> general =
> Dewey
>> sections for 100's, 200's, 300's etc., I don't think they will =
> understand, although
>> I know I have to explain how it works as well.
> m_net/ven.html
>
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