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Dear Librarians, My students and I have been having such a good time with our Library Treasure Hunt, that I thought I'd share it with you. This is a big library and the children tend to select books from the sections they are familiar with. The purpose of this exercise is to help them learn the lay-out, choose new types of books, learn Dewey Decimal system (sort of), work in pairs, learn by doing, have fun, etc.... This is done with 2nd and 3rd graders. Unfortunately the 4 & 5th graders do not have regularly scheduled library classes. They could certainly use the lesson. The third graders get it immediately but it is a stretch for some of the second graders. My feeling is - if they don't get it right away - they will by the third time they try it. At the beginning I ask the class: What is the treasure we are hunting for? They always know the answer: Books! Why do we consider books to be treasures? And we have a discussion about that. An essential part of the introduction is learning about call numbers and spine labels. These treasure hunts take 3 weeks. It's a big library and we divide into 3 groups. Each group works in one section. The next time, they switch sections. I take one group of 8 in the non- fiction/biography section, my assistant takes the picture book/easy reader section and my student intern has the group in the fiction section. Yes, I know, I'm lucky to have all this help. When the intern was absent one day, we used a volunteer mom. I created and then laminated about 12 shelf markers for each section (regular 81/2 x11 paper cut in 3 columns). Each section is a different color (ex: Fiction is yellow). The name of the treasure is printed on the shelf marker. Example: They are given a shelf marker with "FIC DAH (DAHL)". They have to find the "D" shelf, pull out MATILDA (or another Dahl book), put the shelf marker in its place and show it to the adult. Or they get one that reads "JUNIE B. JONES - IN A BIN" and they have to find her. Each pair of students gets a turn doing each of the tasks. For the non-fiction treasure hunt, I have the number and subject on the shelf marker, and point them in the right direction. Example: 811 POETRY or 636.7 PETS. Any poetry book is fine - it must have the correct call number. The biographies are the most challenging. For example, "B POCAHONTAS" confuses them. Some of them don't yet get that Pizarro is before Pocahontas. The z mixes them up. But they keep in there trying, and working in pairs really helps. When they find the book, bring it to me, get a compliment, run back for the shelf marker and come for the next job, often they are jumping. Ready, ready for more! That, my dear librarians, is the best part - these little jumping treasure hunters surrounding me wanting more challenges. If you have any questions about my treasure hunt, I'd be happy to share more details with you! Sincerely, REBECCA REITZ Librarian PS 87 160 West 78th Street New York, NY 10024 212) 280-6204 Rebreitz@aol.com http://www.ps87library.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------