Suzanne Lee November Blog Post #4: Regie Routman Chapter 5”Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library”

Suzanne Lee November Blog Post #4: Regie Routman Chapter 5”Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library”

As I read the very first page of this chapter, I smiled to myself.  Having taught school for years, I have been the “interior decorating queen” of the “inviting literacy environment” Routman says most schools have.  Many times, I have spent hours creating “cute” bulletin boards that displayed writing or thematic book reports.  And, boy did I have the “cozy, cute” look going on in what I called my classroom library!  But, guess what?  Looks were deceiving.  Most of the time, I never even made time for my students to enjoy and use the library.

However, “times they are a changing” in my classroom.  When, I moved to kindergarten last year, not only did I change grades, I changed many “bad” habits.  I majorly changed my classroom library.  This past summer I spent money and time labeling my books and putting them into topic, interest related bins. I made a big effort to make the space inviting with pillows and chairs.  Routman states, “Simply put, children read a great deal more when they have easy access to books, and well-designed, organized, ample classroom libraries provide the easiest access for students.”  I agree and I am seeing the fruits.  My students love going to our library and reading.  They can easily find books that interest them. 

Even though I feel great about my classroom library, there is much to be done.  To put it in “literacy coach” lingo, I must ask myself an essential questionJ  I ask, “What is the purpose of my classroom library?”  Is it simply so kids can find cool, interesting texts?  No.  Bottom line, I want to create the “successful, independent readers” Monica Carrera speaks of developing through a well-organized library.  I feel like I am fostering this independence through our classroom library, but as I asked myself the questions on page 66, the library does need work.  As I continue to increase the texts within it, I am going to have my students suggest even more titles, put in more poetry, and hopefully get more books they can actually read.  Also with the new observation tool, I realize that our library lack culturally diverse texts.

This chapter contained many good ideas that I will adopt.  However, one point made by the author is a “nonnegotiable”.  She says that”there is no substitute for quality books.”  I completely agree.  I have spent many bonus points and dollars increasing K-2’s classroom library.  I have written grants and spent countless hours labeling these books.  I know that teachers spend money on their classrooms, but we need more books, bins, and labels that our $250.00 does not cover.  If we indeed put children first, then it is time classroom libraries become a priority in our district budget. If our state would allow us to NOT adopt the basal series, we could spend that money on our libraries--libraries that would help develop independent readers.