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!