Trippe. Blog Post 2. Sept. Routman Ch 5: Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library

As I read this chapter I kept thinking how often the recommendations and examples seemed like “common sense” ideas. But as we all know, common sense isn’t so common now a days. I liked how Routman succinctly put ideas together that although may seem like “common sense”, we too often forget to step back and think what is the best for the children in our classrooms and schools.

When reading this chapter I kept noticing a recurrent theme of “student involvement”. Student involvement was mentioned in the design, development, as well as maintenance of the classroom library. Having students contribute to the design and organization in addition to getting students’ input in categories to develop and expand in the classroom library gives them ownership of the materials in the classroom library and organization of the classroom library.  When students have ownership of a classroom library they are more likely to utilize the materials along with respecting and caring for the materials more.  All of these points seem like “common sense” items to me, that are worthy of pointing out.

Other points that seems like “common sense” points to me were the displaying of the books- with covers facing out. Just like lining up books on the chalk tray or whiteboard tray to whet the learning appetite of students, displaying classroom library books with book covers facing out will catch students’ eyes and lead to more reading. Using mounted gutters to display books is an idea we used in Atlanta twenty years ago, and I think is needed even more in the fast pace society we live in today. Considering the digital age and the May 2015 study by Microsoft that said the average attention span is 8 seconds, we have got to capture students’ attention and interest quickly. What better way to get a child to read a book than to show the cover vs. just the spine of a book. I also liked the descriptions to monitor check outs from the classroom library which also builds on students’ ownership of the classroom library.

The see Routman’s philosophy of a classroom library as an enhanced Field of Dreams. The philosphy “If you build it, he will come” includes: if you provide books- students will read books; if students have a vast selection from which to choose- more students will find something to read; if students participate in organizing and expanding the classroom library- students will feel more comfortable finding books. I hope that more teachers will apply these ideas and suggestions and encourage students of every age to pick up a book and read, then pick up another book and read, and continue to enjoy reading for the rest of their lives.