A Library Scavenger Hunt for ELL's

Subject Area(s):

• Working With Others
• K-12: Technology
• Thinking and Reasoning

Grade Level(s):

• 9th Grade
• 10th Grade

Description:

After reviewing the sections in the library (Fiction, and Non-fiction, reference material to include encyclopedias) and the components of a call number, this activity helps students practice using call numbers to locate books on library shelves. Also, the students will become familiar with using the OPAC to locate books and the electronic databases to find additional references not on the library shelves.

Goals & Objectives:

• Students will know that books have specific addresses and locations in the library and will be able to locate books using the address.
• Students will familiarize themselves with the  DDC(Dewey Decimal) and the library and its layout 
• Students will become familiar with using the Electronic Databases to find magazine and newspaper articles.

Materials:

• An interesting looking box (a “fun-looking” shoe box, or a recipe box that looks like a house) containing a street map, an envelope with an address written on it, a URL address, telephone book (white or yellow pages) and a paper with a call number written on it.
• A "wagon" prepared with sample book sources
• Hand out sheets: DDC & “Scavenger Hunt”
  

Optional:

• 2 pages of the same call numbers but in different order
• Reward pencils for the team(s) with 100% accuracy (if desired)

Procedures:

1. Greet students and ask them to sit at the tables.

2. The librarian will begin the anticipatory set by bringing out the "interesting" shoe box - containing a map, street address, URL, and call number on it, or "nothing"(depending on which approach s/he prefers.)

The librarian will:

(either) pull out an item from 
from the box and ask the student to tell how the item is used. After the first three items have been pulled out and discussed, the librarian will ask what the three have in common. Then the librarian will pull the call number out of the box and ask how it is used
(or) do a little “skit” about wanting a certain pair of shoes and reading the size/number to locate, and then finding the box with the wrong shoe, or worse empty! Students will realize that call numbers tell where the book is located in the library in the same way that 
house addresses tell us where people live, or size helps you locate shoe size and URL's tell us where a webpage can be found. [This correlation should help students understand the purpose and importance of the call number by relating it to something of previous knowledge.
This helps students feel more comfortable with the material presented.]
3a. The librarian will then review with students what they have learned in the previous class about call numbers. (The three sections of the library, Dewey Decimal numbers, and shelving books using alphabetical order of author's last names).
3b. The librarian will then demonstrate the use of the various sample reference books on the wagon and then review the use of OPAC and the electronic data base – accessing it from the School’s website.

4. The “Scavenger Hunt” game will then be described to students. It will be explained that students may work in teams of two, or alone, to complete the two-page sheet – locating and writing down the titles, authors, call numbers, etc. on the sheet as specified.
[Remind the students to be sure and replace the book, pulled out for information, to its proper place!]
5. The librarian and the classroom teacher will circulate and assist the students as needed [This will ensure that students are on the right track and will provide hints as needed, and also to ensure that students don't become unmotivated or side-tracked]

6. At the end of the experience, the class will return to the classroom and review the various answers, discussing the process with them. At this point the teacher should assess if they now feel more comfortable locating material in the library.  
Ask if they would feel comfortable helping a fellow student.  If they are unsure, the activity could be repeated with specific authors, etc.
7.If all the students finished in the allotted time period, each “team member” or individual could receive a reward pencil.

FOR THE FUTURE:
Encourage the classroom teacher to continue the lesson by having the students each pick a book to read and later locating 1-2 reviews on the electronic database about this book or the author. Another follow-up activity might be to find out some interesting biographical information about their “author of choice!”
 

Assessment:

The librarian will be able to assess students' ability to locate books using call numbers by observing their strategy during the scavenger hunt "game." In addition, correction of the completed paper will also help the librarian to determine the students' level of understanding,as well as the ensuing discussion.

Supporting Files:

• Books_1270.jpg
  • Assorted of clip art that shows (1) library shelves (with the title enlarged to provide some color and re-inforcement), (2) book spines (to illustrate the different call numbers and FIC, BIO, etc numeration.) A sheet of DDC explanations, with a floor plan of the library on the reverse side The Scavenger Hunt Handout
• Scavenger Hunt_handout.doc
  

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Accesses information efficiently and effectively.

• Develops and uses successful strategies for locating information.

Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)

Exploration

• Locates and accesses information resources
• Subject: Working With Others

National Content Standards (K-12)

• Contributes to the overall effort of a group
• Displays effective interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrates leadership skills
• Subject: K-12: Technology
• Understands the nature of technological design
• Understands the nature and operation of systems