Books will be appealing and easy to find. It will serve as a roadmap for children looking to be lost and found in a book. I want kids to know the bookshelf is a place that they can go to find a title that makes them feel smart and when they put it back they feel like a better human whether they finished it or not.
My room to have literature everywhere. The walls the shelves, sitting on a table, everywhere. There would be picture books, chapter books of all types, and tons of poetry and graphic novels. Everywhere!!!!!
My library is expanding. I need more shelves and tubs. I also need to weed through and discard torn or unused old books so I have room to keep my library fresh and updated. I’m also considering putting books together by theme. Right now it’s by genre.
That people, adults and kids, actually read all of my wonderful books! As an interventionist with minimal time, I tend to get hyper focused on teaching the skills but don’t take enough time for exploring books with kids. I would also love it if the other adults in the building would come and borrow books from me too!
I love the idea of adults checking out, too! I’m transitioning to a coaching position and you’ve got me thinking about how I might incorporate that idea in my new role. ?
@Sarah Not having your own classroom changes the game…amazing things can happen but with less sustained contact with kids you have to be so intentional.
My vision is that a perfect classroom library is controlled by the kids. I sort and organize everything for the beginning of the year, but my wish is that the kids will take ownership and start creating their own bins and systems for checking out, sharing, and recommending titles that work for them. I want them to see it as OUR library, not just mine.
I like how you label your books in multiple ways, @Pernille! That kids could find the same book in multiple locations. No book is ever just one category, sounds like a great discussion to have with kids. Where should be put this book? Why?
If I were to have a classroom this year, I’d want my classroom library to be spread out all around, almost like Barnes and Noble. In a dream world, it would like we were having class IN a library!
To expand it! I was lucky enough to have all of the 2017 Nerdies (book recommendations from Colby Sharp from the Nerdy Book Club) purchased for me from my employer. (I am a reading specialist who works at a private school, but I am employed by an Intermediate Unit.) I have a lot of awesome newly released titles from a wide variety of authors. But, I am really lacking in the nonfiction department. I definitely need to up my nonfiction game! I have a small selection of YA books for my 8th graders, but would love to expand that too! Last year was my first year at the private school, so I am in the process of building my classroom library.
I would love to have it organized & amazing, where every student could find books and a place to enjoy them. There would also be a large common area where we would get together & share our reading experiences.
I would love for my library to stretch around the walls of my classroom, but shelves are hard to come by unless I purchase them myself. I would also like to have the space for all the spins to face out so kids could see what books I have. I moved classroom at the end of this school year and my kids helped move all my books. We had a lot of oooooohhhhh I you have that book or you have so many books. Because they are in tubs it doesn’t look like a lot and some aren’t willing to look through the bins to finds a good book. ?
My vision is for students to always come in and check out the library to see what is new or different. And for it to be a mirror and a window. I want it to be constantly in use and not collecting dust. I have WORK to do.
My vision is to have books for all of my students: international exchange students, immigrant students, 2SLGBTQ+ students, Indigenous students, homeless students, those who live in poverty and violent situations. It’s a tall order … but headway is being made. 🙂
I would also love for more shelves and easier access to books so kids aren’t so crowded when they are looking for books. I need more shelving that is lower in height
I want my 2018-2019 kids to love our classroom library time! I envision students that care more about what they read instead of how many points the book is worth ( my district has RC which is similar to AR). Total student ownership as many have said.
Books all over. Shelves on one wall. Tubs on the counters and shorter shelves w tubs up front with a reading nook. That’s my goal for this year. I just received about 400 new books and can’t wait to go in and sort and organize. QUESTION: My school and district believes in sorting by and reading lexile. I am not comfortable with this. I do probably have some freedom to sort the new books as I wish. What’s the best? Genre? Theme? I know many can fit in different areas and don’t want to limit kids.
Such a thoughtful compliment! This one was from six years and two schools ago. Working closely with amazing teachers book rooms like this one were created where ever I was a principal across the US. Key is … how to get these books easily into the hands of children.
I would like to have more shelving in my classroom, so that I could organize my library to make it more accessible. I have already been inspired to move my shelves to the side of my classroom instead of in the back. Now, it is physically closer to the action. I also need to purge the ugly and unused from my shelves. This book study and the interaction with the Book Club has inspired me to create a library that WOWs my students. Right now, it’s just an OK library.
I am trying to do the same thing! I actually have too many books (is that even possible???) and don’t have enough room for them all. does anyone have any ideas for culling books? I don’t even know where to begin!
I have kids do this every year first days of school, but kids have a hard time giving away books too! I’m planning on going through my bins before kids come back and put books that didn’t get many takers last year in my free pile.
I want shelves filled with books suggested by my students. Since I’m starting over this year, I decided to bring just a few (maybe 20-30) of my favorites to get us started and then ask the kids for recommendations. It’ll be an ongoing project but will hopefully help more kids get interested in reading since their friends are suggesting the titles.
I want my library to have something for every student and organized in the best way to find a book quick. In a later chapter, you talk about helping kids book shop. I felt like my library last year was great for some students but I found myself struggling to help some of my other students find a book. It was my first year and I inherited a lot of bad books (books like were described in the chapter) and was hesitant to purge. Finally by the end of the year, after seeing what nobody was reading and having my kids weed the books out, I was okay with a smaller, better library. I related a lot to what was being said in the book about what I thought my library should be and what it actually needed to be
I want to remove all the leveled book boxes in my library and have my students genrify my library at the beginning of the year. I want to have a large assortment of picture books, graphic novels, nonfiction and audiobooks in addition to the rest of our books. I want books to to be in every part of the classroom-not just in the library corner.
My classroom library has really evolved over the last few years. I started teaching 4th grade 4 years ago(a switch from 1st grade), and inherited many books. However, I noticed that the students weren’t really drawn to these old books. Their old looking covers and minor damage did not make them inviting to the students. So throughout the years I have been purging and buying newer titles. Since our school library hasn’t received funding in at least 10 years, my book collection is more up-to-date than the school library. I introduce new hot titles often, reading them before I bring them to school, and then giving book talks often. I have been trying to pick up titles which represent the students in my classroom, however finding titles which represent my Indian/Asian students has not been the easiest. I could still use some recommendations for these students. The library shelves now surround my students, as they are on 3 of the 4 walls. Students have really easy access to the books and state they can find the title they are looking for easily.
this is amazing, thank you for sharing your process! I did the same thing when I taught previously, but then I became a counselor for 5 years and it seems like most of my titles are outdated (although HP, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hunger Games, etc seem to be “classics” to all kids). it gives me hope that some day soon I will have another great library, but that it’s a process. I think my first step will be to purge a lot of them, and ask students what they are interested in reading. thank you again for inspiring me!
I think my vision is to create a feeling that I have (to this day) whenever I enter a children’s section of a library. Quiet- peaceful-reverent- hopeful- escape- happiness-comfort…complete. I think the most difficult thing is to encompass that in the same space where first grade learning (including the teaching of reading to non readers!) takes place! Also- testing takes place (occasionally) and I have to have available spots for kids to be separated. I have gotten rid of a lot of furniture to use more comfortable options, but this is still my struggle…
My classroom library is the school library and my vision for it is to be the heart of the school in the same way that kitchens are the heart of most homes. I want kids to want to be there not as a dodge to get out of class, but as a place to find more stories that they love. and a place where they are comfortable.
My vision is crazy – I would double the size of my current class and fill half of it with books, beautiful furniture, the whole 9 yards. I would seek to make it the most sought after space in the school if I could ?
In the mean time I’ll keep packing my shelves with good books, using student input to drive our selection of new titles ?
I need to add picture books. I have my mentor texts, but realized I need to make them available for the students to select. I also want to get the student more familiar with the books in the library so I thought I’d do book tastings as a way to expose them to the variety of books I have.
I want the library to be all around the room, so far I’ve got a set of shelves or two on every wall. Now trying to fill them with books the kids want to read. I’m working to obtain books that look like my students or are written by a wide variety of authors. I’d love to have a section of graphic novels, I’ve only got a couple that I’ve purchased so far.
Books will be appealing and easy to find. It will serve as a roadmap for children looking to be lost and found in a book. I want kids to know the bookshelf is a place that they can go to find a title that makes them feel smart and when they put it back they feel like a better human whether they finished it or not.
Moving my book cases to the front of the room!
My room to have literature everywhere. The walls the shelves, sitting on a table, everywhere. There would be picture books, chapter books of all types, and tons of poetry and graphic novels. Everywhere!!!!!
My library is expanding. I need more shelves and tubs. I also need to weed through and discard torn or unused old books so I have room to keep my library fresh and updated. I’m also considering putting books together by theme. Right now it’s by genre.
That kids can see what is there! I am adding more tubs this summer, so hopefully that will help.
That people, adults and kids, actually read all of my wonderful books! As an interventionist with minimal time, I tend to get hyper focused on teaching the skills but don’t take enough time for exploring books with kids. I would also love it if the other adults in the building would come and borrow books from me too!
I love the idea of adults checking out, too! I’m transitioning to a coaching position and you’ve got me thinking about how I might incorporate that idea in my new role. ?
@Sarah Not having your own classroom changes the game…amazing things can happen but with less sustained contact with kids you have to be so intentional.
My vision is that a perfect classroom library is controlled by the kids. I sort and organize everything for the beginning of the year, but my wish is that the kids will take ownership and start creating their own bins and systems for checking out, sharing, and recommending titles that work for them. I want them to see it as OUR library, not just mine.
Easily accessible, sorted by genres that they can find quickly, and with some student recommendations out for all to see.
I like how you label your books in multiple ways, @Pernille! That kids could find the same book in multiple locations. No book is ever just one category, sounds like a great discussion to have with kids. Where should be put this book? Why?
I need to put more books on display. Everywhere!
If I were to have a classroom this year, I’d want my classroom library to be spread out all around, almost like Barnes and Noble. In a dream world, it would like we were having class IN a library!
Yes. This.
I love this idea!
To have enticing books that students could read.
To expand it! I was lucky enough to have all of the 2017 Nerdies (book recommendations from Colby Sharp from the Nerdy Book Club) purchased for me from my employer. (I am a reading specialist who works at a private school, but I am employed by an Intermediate Unit.) I have a lot of awesome newly released titles from a wide variety of authors. But, I am really lacking in the nonfiction department. I definitely need to up my nonfiction game! I have a small selection of YA books for my 8th graders, but would love to expand that too! Last year was my first year at the private school, so I am in the process of building my classroom library.
I would love to have it organized & amazing, where every student could find books and a place to enjoy them. There would also be a large common area where we would get together & share our reading experiences.
I would love for my library to stretch around the walls of my classroom, but shelves are hard to come by unless I purchase them myself. I would also like to have the space for all the spins to face out so kids could see what books I have. I moved classroom at the end of this school year and my kids helped move all my books. We had a lot of oooooohhhhh I you have that book or you have so many books. Because they are in tubs it doesn’t look like a lot and some aren’t willing to look through the bins to finds a good book. ?
My vision is for students to always come in and check out the library to see what is new or different. And for it to be a mirror and a window. I want it to be constantly in use and not collecting dust. I have WORK to do.
My vision is to have books for all of my students: international exchange students, immigrant students, 2SLGBTQ+ students, Indigenous students, homeless students, those who live in poverty and violent situations. It’s a tall order … but headway is being made. 🙂
I would also love for more shelves and easier access to books so kids aren’t so crowded when they are looking for books. I need more shelving that is lower in height
I want my 2018-2019 kids to love our classroom library time! I envision students that care more about what they read instead of how many points the book is worth ( my district has RC which is similar to AR). Total student ownership as many have said.
Books all over. Shelves on one wall. Tubs on the counters and shorter shelves w tubs up front with a reading nook. That’s my goal for this year. I just received about 400 new books and can’t wait to go in and sort and organize.
QUESTION:
My school and district believes in sorting by and reading lexile. I am not comfortable with this. I do probably have some freedom to sort the new books as I wish. What’s the best? Genre? Theme? I know many can fit in different areas and don’t want to limit kids.
I prefer sorting by genre 🙂
This year, I’ll let the kids help me categorize the books. There are some that have only been read once or twice.
Just a room full of books, books, books easily accessible to children. Engaging, bright, relaxing!
Finished project with book room just before the school year began.
Your library inspires me, @Meredith!
Such a thoughtful compliment! This one was from six years and two schools ago. Working closely with amazing teachers book rooms like this one were created where ever I was a principal across the US. Key is … how to get these books easily into the hands of children.
I would like to have more shelving in my classroom, so that I could organize my library to make it more accessible. I have already been inspired to move my shelves to the side of my classroom instead of in the back. Now, it is physically closer to the action. I also need to purge the ugly and unused from my shelves. This book study and the interaction with the Book Club has inspired me to create a library that WOWs my students. Right now, it’s just an OK library.
I am trying to do the same thing! I actually have too many books (is that even possible???) and don’t have enough room for them all. does anyone have any ideas for culling books? I don’t even know where to begin!
I have kids do this every year first days of school, but kids have a hard time giving away books too! I’m planning on going through my bins before kids come back and put books that didn’t get many takers last year in my free pile.
I think variety is key. I try to have multiple grade levels, genres, even various magazines to catch interests.
I want shelves filled with books suggested by my students. Since I’m starting over this year, I decided to bring just a few (maybe 20-30) of my favorites to get us started and then ask the kids for recommendations. It’ll be an ongoing project but will hopefully help more kids get interested in reading since their friends are suggesting the titles.
I want my library to have something for every student and organized in the best way to find a book quick. In a later chapter, you talk about helping kids book shop. I felt like my library last year was great for some students but I found myself struggling to help some of my other students find a book. It was my first year and I inherited a lot of bad books (books like were described in the chapter) and was hesitant to purge. Finally by the end of the year, after seeing what nobody was reading and having my kids weed the books out, I was okay with a smaller, better library. I related a lot to what was being said in the book about what I thought my library should be and what it actually needed to be
I want to remove all the leveled book boxes in my library and have my students genrify my library at the beginning of the year. I want to have a large assortment of picture books, graphic novels, nonfiction and audiobooks in addition to the rest of our books. I want books to to be in every part of the classroom-not just in the library corner.
My classroom library has really evolved over the last few years. I started teaching 4th grade 4 years ago(a switch from 1st grade), and inherited many books. However, I noticed that the students weren’t really drawn to these old books. Their old looking covers and minor damage did not make them inviting to the students. So throughout the years I have been purging and buying newer titles. Since our school library hasn’t received funding in at least 10 years, my book collection is more up-to-date than the school library. I introduce new hot titles often, reading them before I bring them to school, and then giving book talks often. I have been trying to pick up titles which represent the students in my classroom, however finding titles which represent my Indian/Asian students has not been the easiest. I could still use some recommendations for these students. The library shelves now surround my students, as they are on 3 of the 4 walls. Students have really easy access to the books and state they can find the title they are looking for easily.
this is amazing, thank you for sharing your process! I did the same thing when I taught previously, but then I became a counselor for 5 years and it seems like most of my titles are outdated (although HP, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hunger Games, etc seem to be “classics” to all kids). it gives me hope that some day soon I will have another great library, but that it’s a process. I think my first step will be to purge a lot of them, and ask students what they are interested in reading. thank you again for inspiring me!
I think my vision is to create a feeling that I have (to this day) whenever I enter a children’s section of a library. Quiet- peaceful-reverent- hopeful- escape- happiness-comfort…complete. I think the most difficult thing is to encompass that in the same space where first grade learning (including the teaching of reading to non readers!) takes place! Also- testing takes place (occasionally) and I have to have available spots for kids to be separated. I have gotten rid of a lot of furniture to use more comfortable options, but this is still my struggle…
My classroom library is the school library and my vision for it is to be the heart of the school in the same way that kitchens are the heart of most homes. I want kids to want to be there not as a dodge to get out of class, but as a place to find more stories that they love. and a place where they are comfortable.
My vision is crazy – I would double the size of my current class and fill half of it with books, beautiful furniture, the whole 9 yards. I would seek to make it the most sought after space in the school if I could ?
In the mean time I’ll keep packing my shelves with good books, using student input to drive our selection of new titles ?
I need to add picture books. I have my mentor texts, but realized I need to make them available for the students to select. I also want to get the student more familiar with the books in the library so I thought I’d do book tastings as a way to expose them to the variety of books I have.
I want my shelves filled with books that my kids want to read. Having books that they can relate to is the key.
I want the library to be all around the room, so far I’ve got a set of shelves or two on every wall. Now trying to fill them with books the kids want to read. I’m working to obtain books that look like my students or are written by a wide variety of authors. I’d love to have a section of graphic novels, I’ve only got a couple that I’ve purchased so far.