I love books and this love is reflected in my
classroom. I have lots of books and children
books are my all-time favorites! I definitely
can say that I have a book addiction.
However, my classroom library is a true work in progress. Two summers ago I spent days trying to organize
the many books I had collected over the years.
However, I am still not completely satisfied with my classroom library. This chapter was great and very
informative. It has given me many things
to think about as I continue to add to and improve my classroom library. For example, I need to add more nonfiction books
to my classroom library including magazines.
I also appreciated Routman’s comments on de-emphasizing the focus on
leveled books and also focusing on quality books that are geared toward the
interests of students. This has been an
area of concern for me as I reflect on my classroom library. My books are organized by subject and theme
rather than leveled. I have always used separate
tubs for my leveled books. I have struggled
with knowing the best way to organize my books in a way that makes them easy to
find and still makes it easy for my students to find books at their reading
levels. This chapter reinforced the
importance of helping students understand how to find just right books. Libraries organized by subject and theme will
work if students know how to find a just right book. I also like the ideas of getting students
involved in organizing the classroom library and creating interest in new books
through book talks and top ten lists.
This chapter reminded me that classroom libraries are always works in
progress. The needs and interests of
students are continually changing therefore classroom libraries should also be
changing.
You are so right! Our classroom libraries will never be finished, as each year we have different students with different wants and needs. I will talk to Laura about some lower level magazines for your classroom. I am sure she has some that she could pass along to you or even get a subscription for you. I will let you know! I would love to come and look at your library and see if I can offer any help with making the books more easy to find while still making it easy for your students to find books at their reading levels. Let me know if you are interested!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteI am a book lover and fellow book addict too! I believe you can never have too many books for students to choose from and over the years my organization style for books in my library in my school and now at home has grown and changed over the years. While I include the levels on the books to help me know the levels I like to group them by topics of interests, author, and genre and that changes each year depending on my students' interests. I appreciate how you are taking a look at your library too and determine what will work best this year for you and for your students. Thank you! Sincerely, Dawn