No. It doesn’t. It works for kids who already have an identity as a reader. I have a lot of work to do organizing it. I’m fortunate and work in a district with resources (I don’t use the word wealthy because many of my students are quite the opposite)- but classroom libraries are purchased for us and titles and carefully chosen. It is a beautiful and diverse library but books go unread because kids do not know how to find them. I have a lot of reading, sorting and getting books in kids hands to do.
I’m sorry to say that it doesn’t. Two years ago, I inherited a classroom library and the books I brought in were mostly for middle school and I put those away and kept the others separated. I’ve added to it since but the books are still basically separated. My goal this summer is to go in and synthesize the two, but still wondering how to set up the divisions. There was a bit of a system in place but I don’t really embrace it, so I’m looking for suggestions.
No, I need to open up when it comes to titles. I buy ALOT of books myself but this year we have a grant that is blessing us with a mass amount of diverse books. I am excited to move those into the books we already have plus continue to bring in the books I had left at home due to space. I don’t however use an organization system. I keep like titles or groups of books together but otherwise they are just out. I need to work on a lot of things.
I currently have 2000 book in my library. Every year I put up a wishlist for my students to add the books they want. I have a wide range of books from teaching so many different grades over the past 7 years. I have pictures books from when I taught first grade. I also have high middle grade books from sixth. And a lot of in between for fourth and fifth grade. One thing I don’t have a lot of are early chapter books for students that are interested in them. I have some but have weeded them out because past classes haven’t been interested in them.
My library needs to be re-organized in order to work for all students. I especially need to sort by genres and make it easier for my non-readers to find topics that they might try. My readers will sift through to find a book they like, but I have some work to do to help out my less avid readers. I also realize that I need more picture books and graphic novels in my library.
I’m getting there. I have started weeding out some of the out-dated books and worked adding more high-interest and current titles. Students give me wish lists that I use as well as recommendations from this group. I do feel I have books for all levels of learners. I am also working on expanding my nonfiction.
For many students it does, but not all. After moving to a new position this year, I have just started building my classroom library and hoping to grow it more and more each year. With book talks, I can get some kids hooked, but others struggle to finish a book and are constantly hopping from one book to the next without giving the book much of a chance. I support students who want to change books, but for some, that is all they do. That is my struggle to really engage those book switchers and get them engaged and have them finish a book from beginning to end.
My library works for most kids, especially the kids who are excited to use it. Books are organized, accessible, and kids are allowed to read whatever they want. We spend a day at the beginning of the year pulling everything off the shelves and browsing and making “must read” lists. However, for kids who haven’t found their reading identities yet, I still feel like there will always be something to change or improve to draw in even more kids.
Such a tough question. I have, like all of you, readers from 1st grade to 9th grade level. I tend to have sections that only get touched by the strong readers and sections that don’t get touched at all. I definitely will work on this.
Pretty well…. hardest part is being in 1st grade, I have plenty of non readers for quite awhile! I have primers, step into reading types, non fiction (including magazines) and fiction. Now I’m building up my early chapter books. I think everyone can find something, if they’re trying ?.
I think it does but I guess my students are the ultimate judge! but it has been a work in progress and always will be…students need access to new, quality literature to be enticed into reading…and so that is what I always seek to provide (with students having frequent input into our new titles)
It does work. Very rarely is it scoffed at but it will continue to improve after all I’ve learned this summer. Problem is, I have a ton I need to read. I buy in preparation for one day when I can just sit and read.
It works, but like everything it could be better. I have a variety but need to add more diverse books. I especially want to find books that represent our Latino students. I also need to be reading more of the books I have so that I can be better at recommending books to students.
I feel like my library needs to be better organized. I think that I have more work to do but am up for the challenge. I’d like to add more picture books.
No. It doesn’t. It works for kids who already have an identity as a reader. I have a lot of work to do organizing it. I’m fortunate and work in a district with resources (I don’t use the word wealthy because many of my students are quite the opposite)- but classroom libraries are purchased for us and titles and carefully chosen. It is a beautiful and diverse library but books go unread because kids do not know how to find them. I have a lot of reading, sorting and getting books in kids hands to do.
I don’t have any yet. I’m not so much in the fix it stage of my thinking right now. I’m in the absorbing and reflecting stage.
Yesterday was also my first day of summer so my brain might be a little tired too. Hahaha. Ooooh teacher tired.
I’m sorry to say that it doesn’t. Two years ago, I inherited a classroom library and the books I brought in were mostly for middle school and I put those away and kept the others separated. I’ve added to it since but the books are still basically separated. My goal this summer is to go in and synthesize the two, but still wondering how to set up the divisions. There was a bit of a system in place but I don’t really embrace it, so I’m looking for suggestions.
No, I need to open up when it comes to titles. I buy ALOT of books myself but this year we have a grant that is blessing us with a mass amount of diverse books. I am excited to move those into the books we already have plus continue to bring in the books I had left at home due to space. I don’t however use an organization system. I keep like titles or groups of books together but otherwise they are just out. I need to work on a lot of things.
I currently have 2000 book in my library. Every year I put up a wishlist for my students to add the books they want. I have a wide range of books from teaching so many different grades over the past 7 years. I have pictures books from when I taught first grade. I also have high middle grade books from sixth. And a lot of in between for fourth and fifth grade. One thing I don’t have a lot of are early chapter books for students that are interested in them. I have some but have weeded them out because past classes haven’t been interested in them.
My library needs to be re-organized in order to work for all students. I especially need to sort by genres and make it easier for my non-readers to find topics that they might try. My readers will sift through to find a book they like, but I have some work to do to help out my less avid readers. I also realize that I need more picture books and graphic novels in my library.
I’m getting there. I have started weeding out some of the out-dated books and worked adding more high-interest and current titles. Students give me wish lists that I use as well as recommendations from this group. I do feel I have books for all levels of learners. I am also working on expanding my nonfiction.
For many students it does, but not all. After moving to a new position this year, I have just started building my classroom library and hoping to grow it more and more each year. With book talks, I can get some kids hooked, but others struggle to finish a book and are constantly hopping from one book to the next without giving the book much of a chance. I support students who want to change books, but for some, that is all they do. That is my struggle to really engage those book switchers and get them engaged and have them finish a book from beginning to end.
My library works for most kids, especially the kids who are excited to use it. Books are organized, accessible, and kids are allowed to read whatever they want. We spend a day at the beginning of the year pulling everything off the shelves and browsing and making “must read” lists. However, for kids who haven’t found their reading identities yet, I still feel like there will always be something to change or improve to draw in even more kids.
Such a tough question. I have, like all of you, readers from 1st grade to 9th grade level. I tend to have sections that only get touched by the strong readers and sections that don’t get touched at all. I definitely will work on this.
Pretty well…. hardest part is being in 1st grade, I have plenty of non readers for quite awhile! I have primers, step into reading types, non fiction (including magazines) and fiction. Now I’m building up my early chapter books. I think everyone can find something, if they’re trying ?.
We have a great library, but most students don’t visit daily.
I think it does but I guess my students are the ultimate judge! but it has been a work in progress and always will be…students need access to new, quality literature to be enticed into reading…and so that is what I always seek to provide (with students having frequent input into our new titles)
It does work. Very rarely is it scoffed at but it will continue to improve after all I’ve learned this summer. Problem is, I have a ton I need to read. I buy in preparation for one day when I can just sit and read.
It works, but like everything it could be better. I have a variety but need to add more diverse books. I especially want to find books that represent our Latino students. I also need to be reading more of the books I have so that I can be better at recommending books to students.
I feel like my library needs to be better organized. I think that I have more work to do but am up for the challenge. I’d like to add more picture books.