Library Skill-Building Scavenger Hunt

Searching for a new way to teach library skills? The library is multi-faceted resource center full of interesting information, so why should the students' experience in learning library skills be one-dimensional? A teacher's presentation of research skills shapes students' attitudes about learning for a lifetime.

---

Covering the Basics First
Before taking students on the library scavenger hunt, make sure that each student has an understanding of the basics, the dewey decimal system and a book's call numbers, as well as how to use a card catalog. There are many good resources around for teaching the dewey decimal system [see below] .

To teach learners about the three types of cards on file for each book [title card, author card, subject card] , hand out a book and three index cards to each student. On the overhead projector [or chalkboard] , draw a sample title card. Have each student do one for his book. Proceed with the author card, and finally the subject card, reviewing what each part of the card's information reveals about the book.

---

Seek-n-Find Skill Builder
This lesson requires some planning in advance to work, but it is a fun activity junior high students to test their library skills. The activity can be modified for middle-upper elementary learners, as well.

After a quick investigation of what your school's library has to offer, use the card catalog to write down some specific facts on a notepad, such as:

Title card info on two books in different sections of the library
Author card info on two books in different sections of the library
Audio recording information on one or two items
A question using dictionary keywords in the library's unabridged dictionary
A question using the encyclopedia

sample questions:

What is the title of the book found at: 326.5 Bre ?
What is the full name of the author of The Scarlet Pimpernell?
In which vol. of World Book is the entry on "Vivaldi?"

---

When typing the scavenger hunt worksheets, be sure to:
1. keep your notes with the answers!
2. "stagger" the questions so that you have 3 or 4 versions, each with the same questions but in a different order [this keeps "traffic" at each point down to a minimum and reduces "cheating."]
3. Offer a reward. . . a daily grade for their work, or,

Better: give prizes for perfect scores, like a bookmark or a "Zero" bar for "zero missed points."

---

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FOR MORE IDEAS:
"Do We Really Know Dewey?"

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic