Routman (2003), Ch. 5: Turkette

Routman (2003), Ch. 5:  Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library

I picked this chapter as one of the chapters to read because I have a difficult time organizing my library. I currently have books that are leveled and books that are sorted into categories. I have cute and colorful baskets that hold the books. My classroom actually has a decent amount of books thanks to books the school has purchased and books I have received through Donor Choose. I have about five or six bookcases that house these books and my students do actually read the books daily. I say I struggle with the setup of my library because I like having books leveled. I feel it makes it easier for the kids to find just right books and it is easier for me to make sure my students are reading books that are right for them.

Unfortunately, I know this is not the best set up for my classroom library. I know that it is easier for students to quickly find books when they are sorted by categories. In the past I have done author studies, rented books from the library that pertain to things we are learning, and highlighted books of high interest using the storage display book case in my classroom. I have found that my students enjoy reading the books that are displayed, or at least they pick these first. I have tried teaching them to find books that are right for them, but many of my students struggle with this either because they are in denial about what books they can read or want to read a book that is too high for them.

Setting up a classroom library for students who range from grades kindergarten to fifth grade is difficult. I have some students who want to read Thomas the Train and others who read Harry Potter. So how does a person set up a library for a range of students that is so wide? In a perfect world I would have more than one area designated for a library. Maybe a library for older interest and a library for younger interest.