Back to School Basics: Classroom Library Checklist
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we’re getting our classrooms ready to welcome new students. One crucial consideration we think about is our classroom library. Libraries are an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy school. National Book Lover’s Day is remembered on August 9th each year, and this year Mobile Ed has a few tips to ensure your library is a powerful tool in your classroom.
When we think about what’s needed for our students to be successful, access to books is one of the highest priorities. Robust classroom libraries are key to student achievement. Students with access to exemplary libraries score higher and have more positive attitudes toward learning. With access to libraries, students practice becoming better learners and obtaining new skills and knowledge. Taking advantage of our classroom libraries also provides a separate space in the classroom that seats students more comfortably and can be a safe space to try new books and challenge themselves.
Successful classroom libraries:
- Support literacy
- Help students learn about books
- Provide choices
- Encourage independent and group reading
- Provide resources for students
- Encourage an inclusive and culturally-aware environment
Here are some items for your classroom library you’ll want to make sure are checked off your list:
- Shelving. An obvious but essential item if not already provided.
- A Lot of Books! There’s no exact number you’ll need in your classroom, but you may consider having a set number of books per student. It’s important to have enough engaging material for a variety of different readers to last the year. Scholastic provides specific classroom library book numbers! Book Wizard by Scholastic can also be a helpful tool to determine reading levels of books or discover books of a specific reading level.
- Sorted and Labeled Bins. Having books sorted and labeled will help students find exactly what they’re looking for, making students more likely to enjoy what they’re reading. How you organize them is up to preference, but you could consider organizing by level, genre, theme, or topic.
- Different Reading Levels. Students advance at different speeds, so you must include reading levels two years above and below the grade level.
- Comfortable Seating. Rugs, pillows, and chairs can easily create a more inviting space for your students. It will help students feel relaxed and comfortable while reading, making reading and research a more enjoyable experience.
- Variety. You’ll want to have a variety of genres and formats. You may include poetry, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, biographies, reference, and traditional literature. You may also include formats such as ebooks, audiobooks, picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels.
- Inclusive Books. Readers should be able to see themselves represented in literature as a way to learn about themselves, and readers should also be able to read about characters different than themselves to learn about others. This also works to create a more unified environment as well as provides important life skills.
- Extra Copies of Popular Books. Popular books are an easy way for students to discover a passion for reading. If they hear about it from a friend or through media, they may be more willing to pick up that book and give it a try. The more popular it becomes, the more students will want to read it.
- Bookmarks. An easy incentive for reading is providing fun bookmarks. Have students design their own to reflect their personal interests while also making students excited to use them in a new book.
- Notebooks and Post-its. Some students may want to write down notes, questions, and observations when they’re reading. These annotations could easily enhance information processing and deeper understanding.
- Check-out/Check-in System. Establishing a simple process for borrowing and returning books will help you keep your library organized, making students more willing to borrow a book.
- Rating System. This can help students think critically about what they’re reading as well as provide insight for educators into what books students enjoy.
For more information, check out this list.
Mobile Ed’s Young Author’s Day program is the easiest way to get students excited to write! In this full-day educational program, our performer discusses the important elements of story, story structure, and how to be inspired writers all while making your students laugh and eager to write. Students will have the chance to write their own stories throughout the day, then watch them come to life as our performer acts them out using the style of mime!
For more information about popular reading programs, visit here.
