Hello everyone!
This is Laura from Where the Magic Happens Teaching Blog. Can you believe that I started school this week? Second grade is surely very different from 1st grade.
I spent the summer reading and learning the new set of standards, creating new materials, and visualizing what my new classroom was going to look like. I love the feeling of an empty classroom, the idea of a new beginning, and the potential and possibilities. More than anything, I kept on thinking (it was more like day dreaming), about a productive, brain friendly, and homey classroom.
Having an organized and quality classroom library makes me think that if nothing else, I am attempting to create the right conditions for reading by my students.
Think about it! A strong classroom library:
Two beach chairs, a lamp from the Goodwill, a cute rug from Walmart, some wooden letters and Voila! There you go!
One of the greatest suggestions that she gave me is to do a classroom library scavenger hunt. This, in order to teach my students to identify different series, authors, themes, and topics.
Oh! And also to help my students keep books and display materials orderly!
So I do different types of scavenger hunts:
Click HERE to download!
Click HERE to download!
Click HERE to download!
Or all of them!
I give the students one bookmark and they explore the classroom library, once they find a book that matches one item on their bookmark, they bring me the book and they get a punch! These bookmarks match my classroom library book bin labels.
I would love to hear and learn from all of you! How do you organize your classroom library? What routines and mini-lessons do you teach to help your students be successful? What things do you do to foster reading motivation??
I can honestly say that there are many happy places for me: my mom's house, my boys' arms, the beach, the mountains, my own classroom!
Until next time!
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This is Laura from Where the Magic Happens Teaching Blog. Can you believe that I started school this week? Second grade is surely very different from 1st grade.
I spent the summer reading and learning the new set of standards, creating new materials, and visualizing what my new classroom was going to look like. I love the feeling of an empty classroom, the idea of a new beginning, and the potential and possibilities. More than anything, I kept on thinking (it was more like day dreaming), about a productive, brain friendly, and homey classroom.
It really starts with my classroom library. I have spent years (and tons of money and time) collecting the right books to reach ALL of my readers year after year. I truly believe that the concepts of classroom community and individuality begin with literature. It is my first goal, to show and provide my students with the opportunity to explore their own reading interests free from any constraints.
Or like my little G would say: "for the fun of it!"
I try to build momentum by not opening the complete library to my students on the first week of school. Instead, I open it gradually:
First the themes
Then the series
After this the nonfiction section
and so on...
Since we have such a large classroom library, our books are displayed all over the room in colorful tubs that I got from the Target dollar spot!
Having an organized and quality classroom library makes me think that if nothing else, I am attempting to create the right conditions for reading by my students.
Think about it! A strong classroom library:
- Supports your literacy instruction in and out of your classroom.
- Helps your students to learn about books and author's craft.
- It also provides a central location for classroom resources... hello shared research!!
- Serves as a place for students to talk about and interact with books
And you might think...
But how does she come up with the money to buy the books?
Well, let me just tell you: Scholastic points, yard sales, and The Goodwill are my friends! Last weekend for example, my local Goodwill had really great books for .50 a piece! It takes creativity and energy!!
Because my classroom is also really small this year, I had to become really creative too on finding a comfortable reading spot:
Two beach chairs, a lamp from the Goodwill, a cute rug from Walmart, some wooden letters and Voila! There you go!
Now, this is something to be really jelly about:
My school librarian is so fabulous and awesome. As this is my first year in 2nd grade, she has given me tons of suggestions about transitioning my students from easier picture books to a bit-more-challenging chapter books.One of the greatest suggestions that she gave me is to do a classroom library scavenger hunt. This, in order to teach my students to identify different series, authors, themes, and topics.
Oh! And also to help my students keep books and display materials orderly!
So I do different types of scavenger hunts:
Click HERE to download!
Click HERE to download!
Click HERE to download!
Click HERE to download!
Or all of them!
I give the students one bookmark and they explore the classroom library, once they find a book that matches one item on their bookmark, they bring me the book and they get a punch! These bookmarks match my classroom library book bin labels.
What is my goal with this?
I, more than anything, want to get my students motivated to read... and to read for fun. Throughout the year, I want to introduce them to authors, great series, themes, etc. Instead of giving them or leading them to a leveled book, I want them to be able to freely express about their reading choices and pursue them.
They each will have their own book box. With the book boxes there are a couple of whole group lessons that need to be addressed:
- Differences between picture books and chapter books
- Choosing "just right" books (blog post and anchor chart on this coming up next week)
- Keeping a balance in your book box
- How to return books
- Giving book recommendations
I would love to hear and learn from all of you! How do you organize your classroom library? What routines and mini-lessons do you teach to help your students be successful? What things do you do to foster reading motivation??
I can honestly say that there are many happy places for me: my mom's house, my boys' arms, the beach, the mountains, my own classroom!
Until next time!
