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Do I Have To Organize My Library?
Mrs. G
Senior Member
Library
You do not have to organize your library. I didn't for many years. Now I organize by author's last name so I can easily find a book. I also have each book marked in the back with AR levels (if available).
I think eventually you will want some organization to your library. What a great activity for those parents who want to help out in the classroom. Put them to work on it!
I know the start of the school year is crazy, so I think it is ok for you to put this at the bottom of your list.
You do not have to organize your library. I didn't for many years. Now I organize by author's last name so I can easily find a book. I also have each book marked in the back with AR levels (if available).
I think eventually you will want some organization to your library. What a great activity for those parents who want to help out in the classroom. Put them to work on it!
I know the start of the school year is crazy, so I think it is ok for you to put this at the bottom of your list.
AuntKK
Senior Member
Students?
In the past, I have had the students organize the library. I don't know what grade you teach, but I teach first grade and it worked for my class. I have read many resources that say having the students do it is is beneficial. You provide baskets and notecards for them to make labels. They organize in a way that makes sense to them. For several years, I would do this with each of my classes. (I have a VERY large library) I would give them about a fourth of the books to start with. Once they organized those and made the levels, I would give them another fourth a week or so later. It was easy on e the initial baskets were made to add the books. They loved it and it made them feel ownership. I think I just got too lazy to do this anymore.
In the past, I have had the students organize the library. I don't know what grade you teach, but I teach first grade and it worked for my class. I have read many resources that say having the students do it is is beneficial. You provide baskets and notecards for them to make labels. They organize in a way that makes sense to them. For several years, I would do this with each of my classes. (I have a VERY large library) I would give them about a fourth of the books to start with. Once they organized those and made the levels, I would give them another fourth a week or so later. It was easy on e the initial baskets were made to add the books. They loved it and it made them feel ownership. I think I just got too lazy to do this anymore.
Library
I did organize it. I went through and wrote the AR quiz number, book level, and points inside the covers of all of my books. I put them in order by point value/reading level...It was fantastic!
Until school started and the kids made an unmitigated disaster out of all my hard work! Now I just set them on the shelf. They have all the info in the front cover and the kids know how to find a just-right book.
It works well.
I did organize it. I went through and wrote the AR quiz number, book level, and points inside the covers of all of my books. I put them in order by point value/reading level...It was fantastic!
Until school started and the kids made an unmitigated disaster out of all my hard work! Now I just set them on the shelf. They have all the info in the front cover and the kids know how to find a just-right book.
It works well.
teachindakidz
Senior Member
Library organization
I took the easy way out and organized my classroom library by genre. Each book has a sticker that is color-coded for each genre. Which reminds me, I need to buy more stickers for the new books I purchased. uggghhh.... something else to add to the TO-DO List.
I took the easy way out and organized my classroom library by genre. Each book has a sticker that is color-coded for each genre. Which reminds me, I need to buy more stickers for the new books I purchased. uggghhh.... something else to add to the TO-DO List.
*Fairydust*
Senior Member
One step at a time...the library can wait. I suggest that you make it your year's goal to complete it though. It really will be worth it when it's done. As pps suggested get some parents in to help with it! Or even students! Just tell them how you want it organized and voila! I bet you get the help you need.
BMc
Senior Member
Genre organization too
I gave the students the job of organizing the library--by genre.
Right after we read 'Nightmare at the Bookfair' by Dan Gutman where each chapter is a different genre. It helped the kids see which books were in the library and often created quite a discussion. Each genre was given a number which made it easy to add stickers with the corresponding number whenever we added new books.
I gave the students the job of organizing the library--by genre.
Right after we read 'Nightmare at the Bookfair' by Dan Gutman where each chapter is a different genre. It helped the kids see which books were in the library and often created quite a discussion. Each genre was given a number which made it easy to add stickers with the corresponding number whenever we added new books.
I roganized
by genre and guided reading level. Realistic fiction and fantasy are put in bins according to level. Each book is marked with a sticker on the back. This sticker corresponds to a level and also indicates the genre. Books from other genres are organized by genre or author. Each book still has a sticker with level and genre. This way I can tell kids which bin to pick from. I can easily monitor who is reading books that are too easy and who is trying to read things that are much too hard. THe kids did a very good job putting most things back where they belonged.
by genre and guided reading level. Realistic fiction and fantasy are put in bins according to level. Each book is marked with a sticker on the back. This sticker corresponds to a level and also indicates the genre. Books from other genres are organized by genre or author. Each book still has a sticker with level and genre. This way I can tell kids which bin to pick from. I can easily monitor who is reading books that are too easy and who is trying to read things that are much too hard. THe kids did a very good job putting most things back where they belonged.
I organized
by genre and guided reading level. Realistic fiction and fantasy are put in bins according to level. Each book is marked with a sticker on the back. This sticker corresponds to a level and also indicates the genre. Books from other genres are organized by genre or author. Each book still has a sticker with level and genre. This way I can tell kids which bin to pick from. I can easily monitor who is reading books that are too easy and who is trying to read things that are much too hard. THe kids did a very good job putting most things back where they belonged.
by genre and guided reading level. Realistic fiction and fantasy are put in bins according to level. Each book is marked with a sticker on the back. This sticker corresponds to a level and also indicates the genre. Books from other genres are organized by genre or author. Each book still has a sticker with level and genre. This way I can tell kids which bin to pick from. I can easily monitor who is reading books that are too easy and who is trying to read things that are much too hard. THe kids did a very good job putting most things back where they belonged.
Mr.NJ
Senior Member
I don't want to go crazy labeling each book with a level or sticker or anything crazy - I'm so OCD that when one isn't put back in its spot I'll freak out.
I really like the idea of having the kids place the books. I have one long shelf that I think I'll put baskets on and two slimmer shelving units with 3 shelves each. I think I'll do a mini lesson on genre and then let the kids go at it - they can short by author, fiction / non-fiction, etc. . I think it will be fun. And then they can make labels for the shelves and baskets!
I really like the idea of having the kids place the books. I have one long shelf that I think I'll put baskets on and two slimmer shelving units with 3 shelves each. I think I'll do a mini lesson on genre and then let the kids go at it - they can short by author, fiction / non-fiction, etc. . I think it will be fun. And then they can make labels for the shelves and baskets!
teachindakidz
Senior Member
I saw this idea on Pinterest and perhaps it will help. I might try it this year as well. Write students name on a clothespin and students place their clothespin on the basket they retrieved the book. When it's time to return the book, students find their clothespin, return the book in it's proper basket, and remove their clothespin.
http://pinterest.com/pin/278097345710795913/
Slow down for now and let the kiddos do it!
I agree with Fairydust. Just put all of the books on the shelf for now and attend to more pressing matters. At some point get a few baskets (maybe dollar store, your garage, mom's attic, whatever) and have the students slowly organize the books as the year progresses. I did this a few years ago and I'm all organized now. My books are separated by AR level. I made some labels on the computer that say:
Mrs. Taylor
AR Level:
Points:
I found that I could get two book labels out of one sticky regular size mailing label if I cut them in half.
And as each student looked up the level on arbookfinder.com they wrote in the information and put it in the correct basket. They loved doing it when they were finished with their work and I didn't have to worry about it! Hope this helps!!
I agree with Fairydust. Just put all of the books on the shelf for now and attend to more pressing matters. At some point get a few baskets (maybe dollar store, your garage, mom's attic, whatever) and have the students slowly organize the books as the year progresses. I did this a few years ago and I'm all organized now. My books are separated by AR level. I made some labels on the computer that say:
Mrs. Taylor
AR Level:
Points:
I found that I could get two book labels out of one sticky regular size mailing label if I cut them in half.
And as each student looked up the level on arbookfinder.com they wrote in the information and put it in the correct basket. They loved doing it when they were finished with their work and I didn't have to worry about it! Hope this helps!!
Great practical idea
Thanks for sharing how you set up your library. I like the idea that you used the book "Nigtmare at the BookFair" as an advanced organizer to help students learn about genres. Having the students to set up the library and connect it with the book sounds like an all around beneficial activity.
Thanks for sharing how you set up your library. I like the idea that you used the book "Nigtmare at the BookFair" as an advanced organizer to help students learn about genres. Having the students to set up the library and connect it with the book sounds like an all around beneficial activity.