Library

How do you organize your classroom library?  My first year, it was simple.  I didn't have a whole lot of books (only about two crates full), so a shelf like the one below was perfect for me at the time.  I changed out my picture books about once a month.

This was the library my first year.  The books weren't on the shelf yet.  Even though it was small, the kids loved it.

Fast forward six years, and this is what my library looked like this school year.  The books are sorted by genre (the ones with the red tags).  There are also books sorted by reading level.  Students had book baggies with books they would read on their level, and change them out about once a week (the ones with the puppy tags).  Once I switched to sorting by basket in year five, I knew I needed a good system so books could be returned to the proper basket.  That was the reason I was hesitant to organize my library in this way... I was afraid that the books would be all over the place!  The leveled books have their letter in the corner on the cover.  The picture books have a label that matches the label on the basket.  Almost all of the time books were returned to their home.  I must say a system needs to be in place so they don't end up anywhere.  Next school year I plan on adding about ten more picture book baskets as I have more books that weren't out.  Needless to say I'll need another large shelf like the ones on the right side.

I ran out of shelves and baskets!  I had to use different ones and (gasp) three different baskets that don't match! LOL

I still have that pillow and bench.  Those have always been a big hit!

What a difference a few six years can make.  I LOVE reflecting on how I use to do things and compare to what I have evolved to today!