classroom libraries

Discussion in 'Elementary Education' started by otterpop, Jul 11, 2017.

  1. otterpop

    otterpop Phenom

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    Jul 11, 2017

    How do you organize your classroom library? Is it neat or not?

    I (up to now, but may change) have shelves for fiction and nonfiction. I also have a few labeled baskets for popular categories like "Sports" and "Fantasy". It is perpetually unorganized though. About 60% of my students are usually pretty good about putting things in the correct places, and 40% don't realize/care that there's any system for where books go, despite multiple discussions. I have a student organize it usually once every day or two but it's a time waster.

    Most teachers at my school just have a bookshelf, with no organization system at all.

    What do you do?
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
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  3. agdamity

    agdamity Fanatic

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    Jul 11, 2017

    Mine are organized by genre--realistic fiction, mystery, historical fiction, fantasy/science fiction, biography/autobiography, informational. That's about all the classifcation my fifth graders can handle. I also have each book spine labeled with a color coded sticker so they can put the book back on the right shelf.
     
  4. teacherintexas

    teacherintexas Maven

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    My library is going to undergo some changes this year. I had some tubs still labeled by level. I'm going to divide those out this year. The rest are divided by genre or author.
     
  5. TnKinder

    TnKinder Companion

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    Jul 11, 2017

    In my building my P mandated that all classroom libraries are organized by genre. Because I teacher kinder, I also color code the baskets so students can return the books to the right place.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
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  6. otterpop

    otterpop Phenom

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    Jul 11, 2017

    It is nice to have a whole school system so the kids get used to it. I have stickers on my books for levels, but maybe I'll try colored stickers for genres.
     
  7. yellowdaisies

    yellowdaisies Fanatic

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    Jul 11, 2017

    I have a fiction section and a nonficton section. The nonfiction is organized by topic. (US History, World History, Ecosystems, etc.) My bins are numbered with a white circle label with a number, and the books also have number labels in the top right corner so the kids can match the numbers when returning the books.

    For fiction, I have bins organized by popular series and authors - two sections, each in alphabetical order. Those books are not labeled, but the kids have no trouble returning them. The rest is organized alphabetically. I use these labels: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Library-Rainbow-Book-Spine-Labels-1002546 to color code the books in alphabetical order. I put packing tape over the labels so they don't rub off or lose their color. It was a lot of work upfront, but has been really successful. We can all tell at a glance if any books are in the wrong spot.
     
  8. bella84

    bella84 Aficionado

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    Jul 11, 2017

    I organize by genre and category within the genre (fiction and nonfiction, but then broken down into categories like, NF science, NF animals, sports chapter books, etc.). I have found that the easiest system is to put a sticker with a number on every basket in my library. Then every book that goes in that basket has the same number sticker on it. Then there is NO question as to where the book is to be returned.
     

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