QueSPER Information Literacy Curriculum

Fishing Game for Matching Call Numbers, Author Letters, and Title

2nd Grade Activity

Materials

1. Set of books on a topic, one book for each child, pulled from shelf and placed face up on a table. They do not have to be in order.

2. Several tissue boxes (cube variety) with top opening expanded by cutting the opening larger with scissors. (Small (4"x4"x4") cube shaped boxes with lids purchased at party stores around Valentine's day are actually better.)

3. Outline shapes of fish, use computer graphics, printed on medium weight cardboard. Magnet strips on back. If paper is too heavy, the fishing pole will not be able to pick up fish. If it is too thin it will tear too easily.

4. "Fishing pole" made from dowel rod ( 12") , string (16") tied and glued to one end of dowel rod, magnet tied and glued to end of string. Use strong glue. Make a pole for each box.

Play

1. On each fish clearly type the call number and author letters on the left side of the fish and the title of the book on the right side. Explain to children that all three things must match or they will not have the right book. Show the children again where the spine label is and point out the titles of the books. Tell them they are to fish for a fish with a book title on it, match the fish information with a book (all three items must match) , pick up their book) and begin to read or find pictures about their topic while the rest of the class is finishing.

2. Place an even number of fish in each box, divide the students evenly by the number of boxes and give the first student the fishing pole for his group. He is to pass it back as soon as he catches a fish.

3. Student takes fish, matches all three items, takes book and sits down to read or find content until all are finished.

4. I usually end this activity with a group discussion about the topic. If children know little about the topic, I ask them to find pictures in their books of specific things. How many different pictures of the same thing do we find? If they know quite a bit, I ask them to share what they have learned.

5. As a variation, I may have small plastic objects that relate to their topic. They can match their objects in the books as well.

6. When children are ready for a shelf search, this same activity can be used.