Your Classroom Library

Hello everyone!

I love the feeling of an empty classroom, the idea of a new beginning, and the potential and possibilities. More than anything, I kept on thinking (it was more like day dreaming), about a productive, brain friendly, and homey classroom.

It really starts with my classroom library. I have spent years (and tons of money and time) collecting the right books to reach ALL of my readers year after year. I truly believe that the concepts of classroom community and individuality begin with literature. It is my first goal, to show and provide my students with the opportunity to explore their own reading interests free from any constraints.

Or like my little G would say: “for the fun of it!”

I try to build momentum by not opening the complete library to my students on the first week of school. Instead, I open it gradually:

First the themes

Then the series

After this the nonfiction section

and so on…

Since we have such a large classroom library, our books are displayed all over the room in colorful tubs that I got from the Target dollar spot!

Having an organized and quality classroom library makes me think that if nothing else, I am attempting to create the right conditions for reading by my students.

Think about it! A strong classroom library:

Supports your literacy instruction in and out of your classroom.
Helps your students to learn about books and author’s craft.
It also provides a central location for classroom resources… hello shared research!!
Serves as a place for students to talk about and interact with books

And you might think…

But how does she come up with the money to buy the books?

Well, let me just tell you: Scholastic points, yard sales, and The Goodwill are my friends! Last weekend for example, my local Goodwill had really great books for .50 a piece! It takes creativity and energy!!

Because my classroom is also really small this year, I had to become really creative too on finding a comfortable reading spot:

Two beach chairs, a lamp from the Goodwill, a cute rug from Walmart, some wooden letters and Voila! There you go!

Now, this is something to be really jelly about:

My school librarian is so fabulous and awesome. As this is my first year in 2nd grade, she has given me tons of suggestions about transitioning my students from easier picture books to a bit-more-challenging chapter books.
One of the greatest suggestions that she gave me is to do a classroom library scavenger hunt. This, in order to teach my students to identify different series, authors, themes, and topics.
Oh! And also to help my students keep books and display materials orderly!

So I do different types of scavenger hunts:

Click HERE to download!

Or all of them!

I give the students one bookmark and they explore the classroom library, once they find a book that matches one item on their bookmark, they bring me the book and they get a punch! These bookmarks match my classroom library book bin labels.

What is my goal with this?

I, more than anything, want to get my students motivated to read… and to read for fun. Throughout the year, I want to introduce them to authors, great series, themes, etc. Instead of giving them or leading them to a leveled book, I want them to be able to freely express about their reading choices and pursue them.

They each will have their own book box. With the book boxes there are a couple of whole group lessons that need to be addressed:

Differences between picture books and chapter books
Choosing “just right” books (blog post and anchor chart on this coming up next week)
Keeping a balance in your book box
How to return books
Giving book recommendations

If you would like to purchase my classroom library book bin labels, you may get them for my TPT store.
I would love to hear and learn from all of you! How do you organize your classroom library? What routines and mini-lessons do you teach to help your students be successful? What things do you do to foster reading motivation??

I can honestly say that there are many happy places for me: my mom’s house, my boys’ arms, the beach, the mountains, my own classroom!

Until next time!

Laura🧚‍♀️

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10 Ways To Bring More Joy To Your Classroom Library (and Boost Literacy, Too!) – Web College Degree says:

August 19, 2021 at 4:46 pm

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August 19, 2021 at 5:01 pm

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10 Ways To Bring More Joy To Your Classroom Library – TodayHeadline says:

August 19, 2021 at 5:01 pm

[…] the year, unveil the library slowly, section by section. Stage a library scavenger hunt using these punch cards. Hold a March Madness reading activity. Create a giant tree out of twisted sections of brown craft […]

10 Ways To Bring More Joy To Your Classroom Library » The realm of Knowledge says:

August 20, 2021 at 12:48 am

[…] 12 months, unveil the library slowly, part by part. Stage a library scavenger hunt utilizing these punch cards. Maintain a March Madness studying exercise. Create a giant tree out of twisted sections of brown […]

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