After reading this chapter, I am painfully aware of how NOT outstanding my classroom library is. Routman paints a clear picture of how it should be organized and I like how she explains how important it is that I involve the students in it's organization. If I want my students to want to read the books in my library they must have some ownership of it. It was exciting to read Routman say, "When I am in the classrooms with rich libraries created and maintained by the teacher and students, grand enthusiasm for reading and talk about books permeate every aspect of the curriculum." I have a pretty good collection of books, and have known since moving them into my new classroom at PGS that they need to be organized, but I've felt overwhelmed by the task. I understand that I shouldn't put it off any longer, and allowing the students to help me with it will get the job done and get them excited about reading the books.
I was also happy to read that my library should de-emphasize leveled books and focus more on books of interest to the students, as that's what the majority of my library is made up of. After organizing my library I need to work on making some comfortable places around the room for reading, as right now the students sit at their desks for independent reading.
Sally - your library looks great now and I like the bathmats your children use to sit on while they are reading. Your space is soooo limited and the bathmats were an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteI know many times when we read about the ideal classroom library it can leave us feeling overwhelmed about how we need to get there with our own library. Don't let that discourage you. Choose a few areas to work on and move forward from there. I love that you are giving your students choice in what they are reading and are not limiting them to a level or a genre.