Howdy! Today was a teacher work day so I spent the day prepping the room for the last two months of school. I am super excited to be back with the 'staches tomorrow and really excited for what we have planned for the next 2 months! Who's with me?!
So.....last night on the Kindergarten Smorgasboard Facebook page, I asked the question about organizing your classroom library. There were tons of great answers...tons of ideas...and tips. BUT....people...can you believe I've never done a blog post dedicated to my library?!?! FOR SHAME! Mr. Greg has been a bad boy. But today we shall rectify this wrong. Here are my 5 tips for organizing your classroom library.
1. Space.
Your classroom library should be a major part of your classroom space. It shouldn't be tucked away in that dark corner where pencils, glue lids and scissors go to die. Incorporating the space into your classroom gives students visual clues to the importance of reading.
Make sure the space is open, well lit and inviting!
Our library sits in a corner of the classroom and is completely open to the entire space. When the 'staches are sitting in the library, they can see everything happening in the classroom. And, let's be honest, Mr. Greg can see what you're doing in the library!
2. Organized Chaos.
You need a system to keep your library and all of those books organized. This system needs to be user friendly for you AND the students.
I use a system that is so user friendly, that when other teachers ask to borrow a book or ask for books on a topic, I can tell them exactly which box to look in. So, how does Mr. Greg do this?
It's as easy as 1.2.3....34.35.....44..45.
I USE NUMBERS!
Each box in my library is numbers. I started at 1 and went until my boxes were numbered.
Every book that belongs in a box is numbered with the same number. In the picture above, this is box 5. All of the books in that box are numbered 5.
This makes returning books SUPER easy for me and for the 'staches. (And it serves as constant number recognition practice! WHAT WHAT math in the library?!!?!)
Our books are sorted in multiple ways: author, theme/topic, genre. There is no rule or checklist for how a book is sorted. It's kind of just what my mind says at the moment!
3. Containers.
If you're going to be organized and have a fantastic system in place, you need containers to contain the books.
I use a couple of different containers. I'm not one of these teachers who needs the containers to match or be a pattern...I like a little spice in my life...a little variety!
I use plastic ice bins from Wal-mart. They cost about $1.50 so they're cheap and they hold up well.
I also use the different colored tubs from Lakeshore (honestly...not a huge Lakeshore fan....but they had these bins on sale for buy 1 get 1 half off...so you know...i bought a few!)
I like the little punches of color they add in!
You also need good, strong shelves. Mine were custom built by this organization here in Nashville called Nashville Tools For Schools! They build classroom furniture cheap or free! And it's great stuff!!
4. Creature comforts!
Your library needs to be inviting! It needs to be a place where your class wants to spend time reading and developing a love of reading!
Our library has a plastic swimming pool with pillows!!!! TRUE STORY! Best $9 ever spent!
Our rule is 2 people in the pool at a time. I love glancing in the library and seeing my friends laid out in the pool reading books, sharing books and...wait for it...DISCUSSING BOOKS!!!!
I really think the relaxing nature of the pool helps them open up and talk about the books more. And really...it's just plain fun!
We also have fish hats that we can wear while reading! (They get washed with LiceShield shampoo monthly! And Lysol-ed daily!) They put these awesome hats on and read....and it just makes you smile!
We also have some stuffed animals and puppets we can use read to or read with!
5. TRAINING! TRAINING! TRAINING!
You've put all of this time, energy and money into setting up your library. You need to put in just as much time and engergy training your class how to use and take care of the library.
We spent an entire week (A WEEK PEOPLE!) modeling, training, practicing and repeating how to use the library. Wet, lather, repeat. Kind of like that...
We practice taking a box off the shelf.
We model how to take a book out of the box.
We model how to lay in the pool.
We model how to push the books to the side and carefully replace our book.
I pass out a book to each 'stache and we practice returning it to the right number.
We practice a lot. But this helps the library stay organized and gives the students ownership.
And my final tip:
VARIETY! The more books the better! I'm currently up to 10,000 books. This variety makes sure every child can find books they enjoy. And when we are in the library, it's free choice. They can get any book and read! I want the classroom library to be a place of fun and joy and a place where my 'staches develop a love of reading!!
Here's a fun view of our library from my NEW GOPRO camera!!!!!!!!
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