[CASL-L] UPDATE: Realistic Non-fiction and Dewey

[Jenny Lussier]

Hi Keely,

I absolutely agree - put the books where the kids can find what they want.
My students love having things genrefied. They find what they love and then
I can also suggest, hey, maybe today you would like to try something in
______ .

I have a biography section that is genrefied - that has helped immensely. I
have artists/authors/entertainers, sports, scientists/inventors,
historical/political figures. Much easier for kids to browse through if
they don't have a name they are specifically looking for.

Best,
Jenny

On Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 10:57 AM Norton, Keely <KNorton at stamfordct.gov>
wrote:

> Hello all!
>
> Thanks to all who chimed in on this topic. I've been getting a lot of
> questions from individuals as to what feedback I received, so thought I'd
> share one of my responses to Elaine which pretty much sums things up:
>
>
> Yes, I did get quite a few responses, and of varying points of view.
> I've decided to make a Narrative Nonfiction section (already bookmarked
> the Genre labels in my Demco catalog) which will be located between my
> fiction and non-fiction sections.
> I'm also thinking of asking some of the LA teachers to let me do some
> read alouds with their classes to introduce this new section and increase
> circulation.
> There are a lot of purists out there who argue that if students don't
> learn Dewey in the primary grades, they'll never be successful in academic
> settings from HS through college. The other side argues that people who
> know Dewey are just as adept in a book store setting where everything is
> genrefied.
>
>
> I tend to agree that whatever way you have your collection organized,
> students should be taught the skills to find information efficiently within
> that system. I think students can adapt to a new system later in their
> educational careers. However, to build a love of learning I think you
> should do everything you can to remove barriers to reading.
>
>
> Think of it this way: When a child comes to you and wants a book, do they
> ask for books by authors whose last names begin with GAR, or do they ask
> for a book about horses? If the latter is true, then why don't we set up
> our libraries to make it easier for young people to become more independent
> and seek out what interests them. This, as opposed to forcing them to learn
> a counter-intuitive system that may or may not get them to something they
> are interested in before they give up and move on to a device or computer
> screen.
>
>
> I teach in a middle school, but when I started three years ago, I had very
> little knowledge of Intermediate and YA literature. Students asked me for
> recommendations, and I really struggled. Now, after literally putting my
> hands on every single title to determine its genre and relocate it, I can
> put the right book into their hands more efficiently. And, if I really
> don't know a good match, I ask them if they like humor or action-adventure
> more and send them off to whichever section they choose. Most of the time
> they find what they are looking for and then some!
>
>
> Hope this helps 😊 Sorry for the long-winded answer; can you tell I'm a
> little passionate about this? LOL
>
> Best,
>
>
> *Keely Norton *
> *Library Media Specialist*
> *Scofield Magnet Middle School*
> *203-977-2754*
> "Work hard. Be kind."
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Elaine Shapiro <elaine.shapiro7 at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, January 21, 2019 9:41:41 PM
> *To:* Norton, Keely
> *Subject:* Re: [CASL-L] Realistic Non-fiction and Dewey
>
> I am curious if you got any responses to this question.
> You make a good point about students finding these books.  I am in a
> preK-4 school, and it is strictly by author in F, and by Dewey # in
> nonfiction.  But I am intrigued and don't love Dewey.
>
> Elaine Shapiro
> Broad Brook School,
> East Windsor
>
> On Thu, Jan 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM Norton, Keely <KNorton at stamfordct.gov>
> wrote:
>
>> Thought I'd reach out to the collective on this one. How do you catalog
>> your Realistic Non-fiction books?
>>
>> My fiction section is genrefied, but I'm considering putting Realistic
>> non-fiction into a section in the genrefied area because I don't think
>> these titles get as much circulation on the non-fiction shelves. For
>> example, Hidden Figures. The story is awesome, but most kids don't go look
>> in the non-fiction section for space/planets, etc. for a 'good book to
>> read'.
>>
>> I would appreciate your thoughts...
>>
>>
>> *Keely Norton *
>> *Library Media Specialist*
>> *Scofield Magnet Middle School*
>> *203-977-2754*
>> "Work hard. Be kind."
>> _______________________________________________
>> CASL-L mailing list
>> CASL-L at mylist.net
>> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>>
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-- 
Jenny Lussier
Library Media Specialist
Brewster/Lyman Elementary Schools
Durham/Middlefield, CT
ALA/AASL, ISTE, CASL, NESLA, CECA, MSLA member
CASL Secretary
FB: @mrslussierslibrary, Twitter: @jluss, Instagram: mrslussierlibrary
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