When you first introduce students to the Dewey Decimal System, take them on a detailed library tour. Show them where each of the categories are located as well as where to locate the number on a book. Allow them to explore the types of books they will find in each category. They also can attempt to replace the books on the shelves in the correct place based on the Dewey decimal number. Provide students with a map of the library and one Dewey decimal number and ask them to locate that specific book on the shelves.
Create a simple matching game for students that will test their knowledge of the 10 Dewey categories. Choose 10 book titles from the library, one from each Dewey category. Make sure the titles are interesting and the books can easily be placed in a category based on the title only. Ask students to match each book title to its main Dewey category. This can be a written quiz or you can plan a game-show style activity for this review.
One of the best ways to begin learning about the Dewey Decimal System is to practice. Assign each student the title of a non-fiction book, written on an index card. If possible, allow students to work in groups of two or three to complete this assignment. Allow the students to walk through the library to find their assigned book. Have the student hypothesize, from reading the title, where in the library this book might be located. Give each student about 10 minutes to find his book.
One of the many jobs of a librarian is to return books to the shelves correctly, according to their Dewey decimal number. With a librarian's permission, retrieve several books from the shelves and place them on two rolling carts. Split the students into two teams and assign each team a rolling cart. Explain that the teams will race to put away the books on their cart correctly according the Dewey decimal numbers. The team that finishes first, neatly putting each book in the correct place on the shelf, will win the game. Award a small prize, such as a bookmark, to each member of the winning team.