Laura Brown's April Blog Post: Routman Chapter 5- Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library

       In Chapter 5 of Reading Essentials, Routman states that "classroom libraries are a literacy necessity: they are integral to successful teaching and learning and must become a top priority if our students are to become thriving, engaged readers." Routman discusses how if if a teacher's classroom library is where it should be, that reading achievement will be better. If students have a classroom library that is well organized, well designed, and the students have easy access to the books, the children will read more. It is important to find out what the children are interested in to create the best classroom library. If there are books on topics they enjoy reading about, there will be much more time spent on meaningful reading. 
       The following are specific suggestions Routman has for teachers to create the best classroom library. One suggestion is to have series books available to your students. Similar settings, characters, and content can make books easier to understand. Another suggestion is to find out students' favorite series, authors, or book titles. Teachers should want to create a library their students will actually use. A big classroom library concept that Routman emphasizes is not to focus on leveled books. Even though levels can be a good guide for instructing students, teachers need to make sure they are focus on the students' likes and interests when organizing the library. Another organizational tool that Routman suggests is making sure to have a lot of nonfiction books. Routman states "in truth, students often prefer non fiction." Many teachers assume that students would rather read stories when in reality, students enjoy nonfiction just as much as fiction. Students crave knowledge about real life topics and having many choices of nonfiction books will spark many reading opportunities in your classroom.