Tips on Organizing a Classroom Library

Organizing Your Classroom Library 

Tips and Tricks  

 

Out of all the decisions I have made regarding my first classroom, how to organize my classroom library was by far the hardest.  I have been in so many classrooms over the years and have found that the most common place for chaos is found in that small corner of the classroom- the classroom library.  I knew a few things going into planning my library:

1.  I wanted it organized (who doesn't!)

2.  I wanted students to have an easy guide for finding and putting books away.

3.  I wanted all books put away in the right spot (once again, who doesn't!)

4.  I wanted it organized by fiction/ non-fiction and genre

Now I am not saying my way is the only way or even the best way to organize a library. I think every teacher has their own style and it also depends largely on the grade you teach.  I am in fifth this year and am working with mostly chapter books and non-fiction (odd shaped books), as well as picture books (they are truly the best.)  To me this meant I needed a clean, organized space for my classroom library. 

So I took the time consuming route of labeling not only all of my book boxes, but also all of my books! That's right, every single book in my library has it's own label!  To be honest, this was a tad bit time consuming (around 2 hours) but I now only have to label new books coming in (which is super easy, since my system is already set up.) 

Here is my library organized system: 

-Blue Containers (Fiction) are for book series and authors that I wanted to spotlight.  Examples: Roald Dahl, The Babysitters Club, Jerry Spinelli etc. 

-Green Containers (Fiction) are organized by genre's and then alphabetized. 

Examples: Genre: Mystery, Sports, Animals

-Black Containers (Non-Fiction)  are organized by non-fiction topics and then alphabetized for all the random subjects. 

Examples: Biographies, Marine Life, Presidents etc. 

 Now this is where the time consuming part comes into play! 

 I laid all the labels out (before putting them on the baskets) and organized by alphabet.  From there each label was given a sticker that corresponded with it's color- in this case blue. On each sticker I wrote a letter that would be that baskets letter.  The letters did not correspond with the title of the books or authors at all.  

Once all three sections were labeled and attached to the bin, I started labeling each book.  

 This is part of my non-fiction section and because the basket these books go into have a "G" label, they also received a "G" on their label.  

 As you can see in the picture above, there are two different labels with a "B" but they are located in different bins due to the color of the label.  Each book in the tub will match the corresponding label! 

Phew! Hope that all makes sense!  I am so thrilled with this system and how it turned out!  I think it will keep the books organized and will be an easy system for students to use!  I will keep you updated on how this system works! My fifth graders start on Wednesday!

Thank you for stopping by my classroom library!  Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!  -Ashley from Tales From Fifth 

 Library Labels: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Polka-Dot-Classroom-Labels-144377

The Hunt for Inexpensive Book Boxes!

Bargain Hunting: 

Book Boxes

I have been on the lookout for book boxes since the beginning of summer.  Like most new teachers I went back and forth on cost verses sturdiness and really struggled on what to buy.  Our school uses Daily 5 throughout all of the grades so I wanted to take into account that my fifth graders would be accessing their boxes everyday, multiple times a day!  This means a lot of wear and tear very quickly!  I have been in a constant struggle between spending the hundred plus dollars for good plastic ones or going with the cardboard style that usually run about a dollar per box.

Here was what I narrowed it down to:

The card board style book boxes that ran around a dollar each:  (Below: Ikea's)

 
Or the durable plastic book boxes that ran around $3.50 each (Below: Really Good Stuff)

Well obviously I wanted the durable plastic book boxes but as a brand new teacher this was a little steep for me.  I was at a loss at what to do.  I knew that the cardboard ones would be broken within months, maybe even weeks, with how often we would be accessing them.  I decided to start looking around to see what I could find.

After walking around Big Lots, I stumbled upon these:

I know what your thinking: that looks pretty similar to the plastic book box from above.  Except I found this in the kitchen area of Big Lots for $1.50 each!  This is technically called an ICE BUCKET, but I am proud to call them my fifth grader's book boxes!!

They are the perfect size for books, plus very durable and the best part is I was able to get 32 matching ones for half the price of the real book boxes.

There you have it! My big save of the day was in the kitchen area!  If you are on the lookout for sturdy, durable and most importantly cheap book boxes I suggest you check out the kitchen section of a nearby store and look for ice boxes! 

 *Numbers are from:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Classroom-Decor-1367909


Have a great week, I know many teachers are back with their kiddos!  I am starting my first week of in-service and am looking forward to finishing a few things up for my classroom reveal! 

DIY Classroom Decor using Washi Tape!

CLASSROOM DIY PROJECT 

Washi Tape

So I just discovered washi tape.  I know, how did I go so long??  My last trip to Michaels ended in me purchasing a bundle of different prints of washi tape, mostly some version of chevron. I decided I would use these prints as the start of some type of theme in my room.  

The first thing I had been wanting to make was a "Reminder" board for the many students I will have this year.  My school does a mini middle school model and I will be teaching Language Arts to all of the 5th grade students during the rotations.  Due to having so many students, I wanted a quick way to communicate reminders to them with out having to use instruction time. Students will check the board when they are heading out the door, and I'm working on some type of color coordination for each class, so there reminder will be in the same color every day.  

This project was super easy and took hardly any time!  The washi tape and stickers were found at Michaels for under $3 dollars each (don't forget your Michaels coupon!) and the dry erase board was found at Target for $6. I just lined the white boarder of the board with the washi tape and put on the stickers for the "Reminders". I really love how it turned out, and hope it works well for students!

The next project I have been wanting to do with the washi tape was cover clothespins.  I wanted the students to fill out an "all about me" bunting  (Found on teacherspayteachers) and hang them on twine with these clothespins.  The clothespins come in a pack of 36 for $1!  I made 15 of each color, for a class set of 30.   I think these will be fun and add a little more color to our room!  I look forward to posting the finished project!

So far I am in love with washi tape and look forward to finding some more patterns.  The project possibilities seem endless, Have fun!!