Organizing my Class Library has been my nemesis since I began teaching. Finding just the way to organize the books so that they stayed nice and were able to be found and easy to put away always eluded me...until last summer. I had tried genre tubs, alphabetizing (silly new teacher thoughts) and color coding. None of them brought me the desired results. Then, I heard the idea of numbering my books. Grouping them together in whatever way worked for my collection and then numbering the bins and all the books that belonged in that bin with the same number. Now why did it take me so long to discover this??! It has worked wonderfully this year. Students can find numbered bins easily and they know exactly where the book belongs when they are done with it. I have posted a list of the numbers and what each contains on the sides of the bookshelves. (See below for access to this FREEBIE!)
This allows students to find what they are looking for and go right to the numbered bin to find a book. I chose to organize in a combined fashion. I have a section that is organized by reading levels, some by genre, some by interest and also by series or author. I got these cardboard organizers from my district warehouse. You can get similar ones on Amazon
These bins that are on top of my shelves, along with the others at the bottom of the second shelf, were acquired from my local dollar store. They have worked great for chapter books and some of the smaller books. You can see that they don't always stay neat and tidy, but they do get to the right spot. Below is a preview and a link to my master bin list which I'm sharing with all of you! It's an Excel file. I did have to take the graphics I had off (copyright reasons) because I wanted you to be able to easily edit it for yourself. Add in your own art or Office clip art to cutesy it up! Look for my next post about how students keep the books they are reading.
How do you organize your classroom library? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
Class Library Bin Master List by Dilly Dabbles
I absolutely LOVE this idea of numbering books. I, like you, have tried everything too, without good results. I am going to do this! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI have my books numbered like this. LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteWow- what a smart idea! I have been looking for a way to organize my library and this might just be the solution to my problems!
ReplyDelete-Julie
www.lightafire3.blogspot.com
LOVE THIS...MY BOOKS ARE A MESS!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I have my library organized by genre, and it simply doesn't stay organized! I love this time-saving tip!
ReplyDeleteJen at Where Learning is Fun
Great idea! I did this when I taught upper grades and have debated about doing it in my first grade room. I just worry about it because we using DRA/Reading Recovery Levels, which are number based. I wonder if the kids would understand that there is a different. I can picture on of my little guys thinking he/she can ONLY read Clifford books because they are in the 14 box! I think I will give it a try though!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and am a new follower.
Christine
HOPPING INTO FIRST GRADE
I hadn't thought of that potential mix up. We use the Guided Reading system that is alphabetical. When I introduced the library to my students, we talked about how books that were just right for them would be throughout the library, but if they had trouble finding a just right book, they could find one quickly in the leveled section. The leveled boxes are first and all together in order which keeps them a little separated from the rest of the grouped books. I'd love to hear back from you on how it goes!
Deletethanks for all the great ideas! i've awarded you the lovely award! come by and check it out :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your kind comments. I'm so glad this tidbit will be useful to so many of you.
ReplyDeleteI was just about to begin organizing my books. I have been putting if off for a while now because I couldn't decide on how to do it. Now I know! My kindergarteners will be able to easily put books back where they belong. Thank you for the wonderful idea. BTW, I am your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteHeather B
www.krazyaboutkindy.blogspot.com
This is a great way to organize a classroom library.
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