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August 1, 2013

First Steps: Classroom Library Organization

Happy Thursday, friends! Today is registration at my school and I am super excited to meet some of my kiddos. ๐Ÿ™‚

I am fairly certain the 5th grade team thinks I am never going finish organizing the books in my room. I have made SO many stacks alllllll over the room…it is like a literature mazeโ€ฆbut really. Regardless, it is how the process works for me and I am happy to report the end is in sight! On Tuesday, my books looked like thisโ€ฆ

And today, I printed my book bin labels and started hot gluing them!!!! Woohooooo ๐Ÿ™‚ *Fingers crossed* I will finish up today so I can move on to things like bulletin boards and desk organizing and putting up my word wall and oh yeah, that little thing called planning what I am going to teach- ha! (UPDATE – You can read about and see how I curated my 5th grade classroom library here.)

With that said, I am going to head out for a little bit, but wanted to thank you all for the HUGE support of some of the new things I have been trying out for my classroom. As a โ€˜thank-youโ€™ I would love to give away some of my new products! Just pin away (or as many times as you would like!) and leave the link below. I have even made it easy for you and linked up each pack in Rafflecopter. You can Pin as many things as you like until Saturday evening, and then, Iโ€™ll email 3 winners the product they shared!

Here are the just-right materials for organizing your Primary Classroom Library!

Are you back in school??? If so, have courage and have fun. You can do it. If not, bask in the glory of the sun. ๐Ÿ™‚ Happy Thursday, friends!

Join me for weekly classroom updates and free resources that are just-right for your guided math classroom!

Sweet! Thanks so much for joining me. Now check your email to confirm your address & snag your freebies. Happy Teaching! -Catherine

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Filed Under: 5th Grade, Book Displays

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Sweetest Thing says

    August 1, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    I spent about 3.5 days setting up my classroom – 1 entire day was devoted to organizing my library. It takes a while if you don't have your system already set up yet!

    Lauren
    The Sweetest Thing
    Follow me on Bloglovin'!

    Reply
  2. Jessica Lawler says

    August 1, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Welcome to the greatest grade, Catherine! ๐Ÿ™‚ I know it'll be a big jump from first, but it seems that you are up to the challenge. I *LOVE* your Subway genre posters and will be pinning them each day ๐Ÿ™‚ I also really like your iRead book bin labels. Question: do you have ALL of your books in bins? I teach 5th also and found that I just had too many books to put them all in bins – and not enough shelving space. I have about 12 book bins (sorted by author), but the rest of my books are just sorted by genre on book shelves.
    Another Question: are your book tubs plastic shoe boxes? like the type you could get at Target? Or are they specifically built for books?
    Have a wonderful day setting up – I don't start until after Labor Day, but I'm eager to get into my classroom and start setting up. Until then, I guess I'll work diligently…and soak up the sun ๐Ÿ™‚
    A fellow fifth grade friend,
    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

    Reply
  3. Jo Anne says

    August 1, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Hi Catherine,

    It'll be my first year teaching 5th this year as well… I'm as nervous as I am excited! I love the book bin labels that you made – they're so cute! Can't wait to follow you throughout the school year and share some ideas. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Jo Anne
    Teaching in Cardigans

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    August 1, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Hi Jessica! It is a jump and I am terrified but thrilled. As I have looked at the curriculum for 5th grade, I am SO impressed at how much cool stuff we get to cover and learn about. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Being a first year teacher, I have a good amount of books but not a ton. I keep a majority of my fiction and nonfiction in book bins. All my reference books do not go in bins – they go just on a shelf. Then, any book that I have more than 3 copies of goes in my literature circle containers (that are split between my filing cabinets and large containers above my classroom lockers). In terms of organization, I did some authors (if I had more than 5/6 books by him/her) and then, genre ish. All my fiction books are on one shelf and non-fiction on a separate shelf.

    I actually got my bins from Lowes this week – http://www.lowes.com/pd_274123-55449-BELLW1600014736_0__?productId=3692152&Ntt=6+quart+storage&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D6%2Bquart%2Bstorage&facetInfo=. Although I would have loved to buy actual book bins, as a first year teacher I am buying so many other things that I could not swing it. The bins I got are really nice and deep. Plus, they are actually clear (rather than the typical white frosty look). The best part- this week they were on sale for a dollar!

    I cannot imagine how impatient I would be if I couldn't go to school during the summer. With that said, it is kind of nice to have that boundary drawn! Thank you so much for stopping by; I hope you enjoy your last few weeks of summer.

    -C

    Reply
  5. Kaitlin Edmunds says

    August 2, 2013 at 12:47 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE your new products! Adorable!
    Kaitlin
    K&C Love Grade 3

    Reply
  6. LadyM says

    August 2, 2013 at 4:10 am

    I've been agonizing over my books. I really wanted to put them in bins but haven't been able to find any to suit! So I've been filling my bookshelf and have been feeling very unsatisfied. I'm glad I came across your pic and the answer to the question of where you got your bins. A dollar isn't bad!!!

    Reply
  7. 751c69d0-fc9e-11e2-8bab-000bcdcb2996 says

    August 4, 2013 at 12:40 am

    I am a high school teacher that starts up the new school year in a week and a half…but guess what I have been doing this past week. Yup, lesson planning and organizing. Oh, what an anxious web I weave. I would love if you would check out my bog at duhnel.com. Thanks and best of luck this school year!

    Reply

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My name is Catherine Reed, and I am in Year 10 of my elementary life, residing in small-town, Kentucky. ย I student taught in 1st grade and never ...

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Sweet! Thanks so much for joining me. Now check your email to confirm your address & snag your freebies. Happy Teaching! -Catherine

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