Marsha Ross- Chapter 5 Routman- Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library

I have always had a class library and every time I get it together there are always new ideas on the correct way to make them pleasing to students.  Routman stresses the idea of building a great library for every classroom.  He states that they need to be child centered, pleasing, and easy to use.  They need to have lots of books anywhere from 200- 1000 books so each student has several choices and a variety of genres to choose from.  I have no idea how many books I have but I know I have several hundred.  I have light reads and more challenging reads for my students.  I have fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, biographies, and fairy tales, as well as much more.  I try to buy books that children will love and become engaged in.  I try to look and see what my children are reading from the library and home to help me determine what I buy for my classroom.

I have organized them over the years in many different ways.  I have order by Lexile level and assigned baskets.  I have tried dividing them in to two categories labeled fiction and non- fiction.  As of now, they are divided partly by fiction, non-fiction, and subject groups.  I tried the mini lesson where children help you sort and organize the class library.  It was interesting to watch them sort them and discuss why they would put them in a certain place.

I try to keep my leveled books for guided reading and/or for children that find themselves unable to find a book that is just right for them.  I use them to help them get engaged in the reading process and focused.  I then encourage them to go back and try to find a just right book for them.

My main problem right now is stressing the importance of putting books back where the go so they are easy to find by others that want to read them.  In the past, I have had groups that are great with this.  However, this year my class is having a harder time with this task.  I am always finding books on the floor and crammed in desks.  We are looking to find a smart and easy way to remember where the books go.  I enjoyed the little reminder about teaching students to care for the book and the library.  I may have another mini lesson on using the library but also introduce Library Sticks that they can use to remember where there books go.  Each child will have about three sticks allowing them to check out multiple books at a time.  I know that class libraries are very important to the independent reading process.  My goal is to continue to improve the one I have and add as many books as I can each year.  Something is always better than nothing!