Home  >  E-Newsletter Archive Listing

Welcome to the CALLOWAY HOUSE E-Newsletter Archive

February 2009

ORGANIZING YOUR CLASSROOM LIBRARY

A classroom library center can be a valuable tool to build students’ enthusiasm for reading. If you don’t have one, it’s never too late to start. If you do, the second half of the year – when your students’ reading skills have advanced – is a great time to rethink your book selection and library design.

When creating a classroom library center, there are several things to keep in mind: book organization, library center environment and book collection. The trick to creating an organized library is to color-code! We have a plethora of items to help you create the ideal color-code scheme and to make it easy for you and your students to keep your books neat and organized. Read on!

ORGANIZATION

Create broad categories, like genre, theme or topic. For younger students, assign a picture to each category (a picture of a car for transportation books).

Organize books in each category by reading level. Assign a color to your reading levels. If you don’t have or need leveled readers, assign colors to your broad categories.

Use color-coded dots, like our color-coded LAMINATED CODING DOTS, on the spines of books to differentiate them. You can also place COLOR-CODE DOTS on the covers.

Use color-coded displays like our SORT & STORE BOOK CADDIES, BOOK BOXES, MINI TABLETOP LIBRARY or CREATE-A-CART to keep books organized and color-coded. Another option is to attach COLOR-CODE LABELS to the front of your existing displays. If you have category pictures, add them to your labels.

For further organization, add numbers to your labels. This is a great idea if your library has a lot of smaller containers rather than bookshelves. Place the number both on the book label(s) and the container label. Organize the containers numerically so students can easily find the right one.

Create and post a corresponding color-code chart. Consider displaying leveled books in the order of the colors of the rainbow (red, lowest; purple, highest). Hang a poster of a rainbow in the library corner so children can more easily remember where their section is.

ENVIRONMENT

Arrange your center in a quiet, comfortable area that will encourage your students to read and return for more.

Reduce noise and foot traffic by closing the library in on three sides. Using low bookshelves on two sides and taller book displays, like our READING RESOURCE CENTER, in the back will allow the entire center to remain visible to you and will provide ample room for books. Our TWO-TIER SHELF is ideal – its open shelves provide visibility and easy access.

Fill your nooks and crannies. Small, individual containers like our DIVIDED TUBS work well in a small space and keep books separated by levels or categories. Displays that rotate or are two-sided like our TWO-SIDED LIBRARY or ROTARY LITERATURE RACK make good use of space.

Provide a well-lit, comfortable seating area for students. For fun, try beanbag chairs or big pillows. Our COZY CORNER SEATING SET and STUDENT SIT-UPONS are a colorful, comfortable choice. Our SIT-UPON BOOK BENCH and CUBE are not only comfy options, but they also have storage and help define reading areas.

Consider using paint, carpet remnants or rugs to separate different areas of the center.

When displaying books, consider traffic patterns. Books that are new or are particularly interesting or relevant should be placed on displays that will catch students’ attention as they move in and out of the center. Use displays, like our WOOD LIBRARY DISPLAY and BOOK MATE DISPLAYS that allow students to see the cover of the books.

If you don’t have the floor space for a library, use walls and tabletops. Our BOOK CHANNELS, TABLETOP BROWSER and WALL-MOUNT BOOK DISPLAY are great options where floor space is minimal.

Remember to include space for audio books. To store books with their CDs or tapes, consider hanging bags and a rack, like our HANGING BOOK BAGS or CLASSROOM TOTES, which fit on our COMPACT STAND, or our MULTIMEDIA BAGS AND WIRE RACK. Our MOBILE LISTENING CENTER is a great addition to any classroom library since it provides storage for books, CDs and your entire listening center!

Use wall space, ceiling space or a bulletin board to display posters and other visuals that encourage reading or emphasize a particular author or book. Our SURE-TWIST CEILING DISPLAY KIT is a super-easy way to hang posters from a suspended ceiling grid.

BOOK COLLECTION

Place a title card in each book. Our COLOR-CODE LIBRARY CARDS and matching COLOR-CODE LIBRARY POCKETS are ideal, and they follow our color-code scheme, making it easy for students to choose, check out and return books!

Create a checkout chart. You can use an individual-pocket chart like our LIBRARY ORGANIZATION STATION, or attach library pockets to a bulletin board. Write each student’s name on the pockets. When they check out a book, they place the title card in their pocket. The card is placed back in the book when it is returned.

For students who need writing practice, have them copy the book title onto a blank card, like our COLOR-CODE 3” X 5” INDEX CARDS, before placing it in their pocket.

For added organization, attach a sticker to each student’s pocket to match their reading-level color (new stickers can be placed over old ones as students advance). One glance at the color-coded title cards in the pocket will tell you if each student is reading at his/her correct level.

To help ensure books are returned, use your database or spreadsheet to record checked-out books (or delegate it). This system also lets you keep an eye on what individual students are reading, so you can make reading recommendations, advance students’ reading levels or incorporate popular book topics into your lesson to pique interest.

Further ensure your books are returned to your classroom by creating “Please return to (insert your name) class” labels to attach to the outside, inside or both of every book in your library.

Provide an inbox for returned books. For multiple classes, have several inboxes or a cubby with enough slots for each class.

For borrowed books that do not leave the classroom, provide each student with half a SENTENCE STRIP or a MINI WORD STRIP. They write their name at the top (on both sides) and put it in place of the book they borrowed. Then they can easily find their placeholder strip and return the book to its proper location.

HOT TIP: Save headphones that no longer work. They make great noise reducers! Simply cut the cords and store the headphones in your library for those students who need a little extra peace and quiet while reading.

Return to the E-Newsletter Archive