Dewey Decimal System 500-700

Melvin Dewey was born on December 10, 1851. At the age of 21 he invented the Dewey Decimal Classification System. He also started the first school for librarians. The Dewey decimal system is a system used by libraries to classify nonfictional or informational publications into subject categories; the subject is indicated by a three-digit numeral and further specification is given by numerals following a decimal point; publications are shelved by number.

Luckily for us and our sanity this classifications system was created. Here at Bella Vista we have 12,000 books in our library, and the number grows every year. It is our goal in the Media Center to get the students familiarized with the Dewey Decimal Classification System so they may find and return books in their proper place.

Here is a kids guide (and it's helpful for parents too) to the three groups of the Dewey Decimal Classification System we learned about this week:

500 Science and Math
500 Science Experiments
510 Mathematics
520 Stars, Planets, Astronomy
530 Physical Science - force & motion, electricity, magnetism
540 Chemistry, Atoms & Molecules
550 Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Weather
560 Dinosaurs, Prehistoric Animals
570 Forests, Deserts, Mountains, Oceans, Evolution
580 Plants & Trees
590 Animals & Insects (not pets)

600 Applied Science
600 Inventions
610 Human body, Disease
620 Space ships, Trains, Cars
630 Pets
640 Cookbooks, Organizing, sewing
650 Careers, Secret Codes
670 Paper making
680 Woodworking
690 Building

700 Art
710 Art appreciation, History of art
720 Architecture
730 Origami
740 Drawing, Crafts, Sewing, Knitting
750 Painting
760 Print Making
770 Photography
780 Music
790 Sports, Games, Magic, Camping, Fishing

Happy Reading!

Snow!

The time for wearing winter gear is upon us! This short week (Nov. 21 - Nov. 22) in the Media Center we read books about that icy cold, white stuff that brings out our inner child and deep down we really love... SNOW!

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Froggy Gets Dressed, by Jonathon London

Rambunctious Froggy hops out into the snow for a winter frolic but is called back by his mother to put on some necessary articles of clothing.

If you want to see your child LAUGH, read this and other Froggy books at bedtime or anytime! After all, Mrs. Allison and I hope you are reading to your children no matter what time or book it is! Read, Read, Read!


3rd - 6th Grade
Snowflake Bentley, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin


From the time he was a small boy, Wilson Bentley thought of the icy crystals as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystals.

Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths about snowflakes: first, that no two are alike and second, that each one is startlingly beautiful. His story, gracefully told by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and brought to life in Mary Azarian's lovely woodcuts, gives children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.

If you have a dream, go for it! The sky's the limit!

Happy Reading!

Happy Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Wish

By Michael Rosen

K-6 interest level

This book rates very high for me because of how well it depicts the traditional Thanksgiving celebration of family getting together, the warmth of a cozy home, a feast of delicious food and love of family and friends. This book adds a realistic experience that is common to many families: the first Thanksgiving without Grandma. Also, a power outage causes the family to lean on friends to help cook their Thanksgiving meal. This is a sweet book that I would recommend adding to a personal library collection to enjoy reading time and again.

Beehive Book Club Kick Off

Race to Read

Beehive Books

Utah's most prestigious children's literature competition is in full swing with books nominated in four categories: Picture, Poetry, Informational and Children's Fiction. For a list of all the Beehive Nominees for 2011-12 visit the Children's Literature Association of Utah (CLAU) at http://www.clau.org

How to Become a Member of the Bella Vista Beehive Book Club:

Every student becomes a member of the Beehive Book Club by writing their name on a car and coloring it. Look for the students' vehicles on the "road" wrapping the walls around the library.

"Race to Read" as many Beehive Nominated books for 2011-12 as possible from now until March.

Students visit the library and vote on each Beehive book they read.

Students' votes will be tallied for Bella Vista's winners and turned in to CLAU to be included in the votes for the official Utah competition in the Spring.

Parties, Books and More!

In the Beehive Book Binder in the library, students write their names, teacher's name and grade under the books they have read to become eligible for two potential rewards:

1. Win a Beehive Book! Reading, voting and recording name in the Beehive Book Binder for reading Beehive books makes students eligible for the end of year drawings in each class for the Beehive Winning Book Give Away that will be announced at the Beehive Book Club Party (all students are invited) in the Spring.

2. Help your class win a pizza party. The class that reads the most Beehive books will win a pizza party.

A big THANK YOU goes out to the school administration and PTA for their generous support of our Beehive Book Club!

Parents Get Involved.

Read books with your child or read books before your child does. Discuss the books with your child as they read them to help improve comprehension. There are amazing books nominated this year in every category, but not all Beehive books may be suitable for all ages.

Visit Whitmore Library Often With Your Child.

Bella Vista's Library has one to two copies of each Beehive Nominated book for 2011-12. Whitmore Library has several more copies of each book in the Children's section. Mrs. Wilson and I encourage parents to visit Whitmore Library through the school year with your child to check out the Beehives and other children's books.