Teachers should carefully select books for their library. You will need a range of fiction and nonfiction, reading levels, genres, authors, and subject matter. Text and illustration quality is important. Young readers need engaging books with texts on their reading levels. Select the best literature from the most proficient writers. Illustrations in picture books should draw the reader's eye and add to the story. Avoid mass market books for your classroom library. The readability is often higher than the average reader for whom the book is marketed, and the subject matter is not always of the highest quality. Visit my site for teachers to learn about some of the best children's authors: Effective Teaching Solutions.
K-2 grade teachers will need to selection of books from emergent readers through chapter books. Categories of books should include emergent readers, beginning readers, picture books, early chapter books, chapter books, poetry, fairy tales / folktales /legends, and nonfiction. You will need some books on 3rd and 4th grade reading levels for your high readers (especially if you teach 2nd grade).
3rd-5th grade teachers will want mostly chapter books ranging fro 2nd-7th grade reading level. Throw in a couple of baskets of higher level picture books, a section for nonfiction, magazines, poetry, and reference books to round out your classroom library.
The most efficient way to organize your books is in baskets. Find a dollar store to pick up baskets for your reading center. You probably already have some books, so determine how many baskets you need by dividing your books into categories. You could decide to have all of your baskets in one color, or a different color for each genre (eg.: red for nonfiction, green for mystery, purple for poetry...). Some teachers get their students to categorize their books into baskets. This activity helps kids to learn to identify different genres.
Once your books are organized you will want to label each basket. You can make your own labels or print premade labels from Beth Newingham. An easy way to make your own labels is to use PowerPoint. Simple create each label (text and picture) on a PowerPoint slide. Print off 6 slides onto one sheet (the perfect size for labels). You can even purchase sticker printer paper to make your job a lot easier.
How do you keep track of your books? Purchase library pockets and cards.
For each book, place a pocket on the inside front cover. Write the title of the book and the author on a card and place the card in the pocket. Purchase a small index card file box with ABC dividers. When a student checks out a book they write their name on the card and put the card in the file box in ABC order by their last name. Appoint two or three trustworthy and organized students to keep track of library checkouts and to place returned books into their correct baskets. I like to keep two extra baskets: one for book returns and one for book repairs. Keep clear packing tape, Elmer's glue, and rubber bands on hand for book repairs. You will also need to label each book. I use a label maker to put my last name, the book's genre, and the ARP level on each book. This helps my library helpers return my books to the correct basket, and helps me to get books back when the are lost or are accidently returned to the school library. My label maker has come in handy for a number of things. It's worth every penny!
Where do you find books? Start with Scholastic Book Clubs. You earn points to get books for free with every order you send. The beginning of the year tends to yield the largest number of points. Library sales are a great way to pick up used books for $0.25-1.00. Thrift shops and garage sales are another resource. One of the best resources is to create a wish list for your classroom library. Ask parents to donate to your classroom library. Include your wish list in your class newsletter or on your classroom website. Watch your school and local library for discards. If you are after new books make sure you sign up for teacher discounts at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Half-Price Bookstores.
Another great source is
Watch for their sales on children's books. I once picked up an entire class set of books for $1.00 each. A place you might not have thought of is Chick-Fil-a. I have bought class sets of books (eg.: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff) for $1.00 when the appeared in their kid meals. Just go inside and ask to make a purchase. Don't forget retired teachers! They are always a great source for adding new titles to your library.
Creating a classroom library can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can either reorganize what you've already start, or start from scratch. When you come across a great deal, pick up a set of five of the same titles to set aside for literature circles. Save up book club points to purchase class sets. Allow your students to act as librarians, and recruit parents to help you label books and baskets. Older students can get in on the labeling action as well. Before you know it, you will have an interactive, dynamic classroom library.
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