Praise the Lord, Alleluia by and byโฆI see the light at the end of the room-setting-up tunnel! Yesterday was new-teacher orientation and then, I stayed at school cleaning/organizing/arranging/sorting until 9ish. I am *almost* there! I just tried my first desk arrangement and itโs not terrible โ which I would consider a HUGE success. So, *fingers* crossed Iโll be able to show you my room by Monday-ish. ๐ Until then, I would {love} to share my classroom library with you. So, here we go!
You also see my bulletin board above the bookcase which includes genre posters that weโll review the first week of school. The posters will act as a visual reminder to students about the different categories of the books they should be reading throughout the year (based on The Book Whisperer). On the far right you see running list of โWords to Knowโ that weโll cover in our first unit together. Through the year, Iโll switch out the words. I wanted to go ahead and have them up for Open House so parents will know what we will be learning the first few weeks!
wall there is my non-fiction collection that consists of 12 different
categories with one (now empty) book hospital.
Also, you might notice writing on the side of my filing cabinet! No, I did not defile school property, but I did cover the side in black butcher paper and purchased a silver sharpie and added a magnet to the cap. This will be our classroomโs โFavorite Book Quotesโ area. As students are reading their books, they will look for the โjust perfectโ quote to include on the board. I just finished up The One and Only Ivan, and had to start our class out. BEST BOOK EVER.
Since my 5th graders do not go to library (yes, you read that correctly), it is SO important that my library appeals to all of my readers. So, I wanted to make sure I have different books on display. I picked up a magazine display from Staples, and then, two plate holders from Hobby Lobby! The two picture frames that you see were one of my spray paint projects a few weeks ago.
Lastly, I place my REALLY low books (Horrible Harry, Clementine, Nancy Drew Clue Crew, Magic School Bus chapter books) in the bottom drawer of my black file cabinet. From there, I added containers to the bottom shelves of my fiction and nonfiction shelves for students to pick from. My students who read at grade-level or above never really paid attention to these books (although they were welcome to pick them up for a quick, fun read), but my below-grade level readers were able to pick books from the shelves just like everyone else!
So friends, what do you think? I really hope my fifth graders love it! I had a chance to meet a few of my kiddos at registration last week, and…..they were not terrifying!!!! In fact, I think I *might* like them. YAYAYAY – it was {such} a huge relief and I kind of felt like crying. Plus, I was even taller than some of them – say what?!?! I know. ๐ It’s the small things people.
Looks amazing!! Your students will love it!:)
eeek – thank you! Literally, you are my favorite. ๐
The library looks great! It is very inviting! Have fun at IKEA and the warehouse sale! I am going at the end of August! Good luck with everything! You will be great!
Amy
Eclectic Educating
Thanks, Amy. Oh my goodness, I just got back. My advice on Ikea – go with a friend and a truck. Whoa. It was my first time going and it was bonkers. Beautiful things EVERYWHERE!
Looks super, Catherine ๐ Your kiddos will love it!!
Lauren
The Sweetest Thing
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Your library looks fabulous!!!! Love the subway genre posters! I just might have to steal your favorite quote idea….love that! Oh, and Ivan is a favorite as well! I saw a gorilla at Animal Kingdom this week that looked just like him! Fascinating.
Lisa
Fluent in Fourth
Steal away, Lisa! ๐ I am really looking forward to kids reading closely to find the perfect quote from their book. It should be a fun project, and I cannot wait to make a project out of all the quote!
Your library looks functional and attractive. The color scheme is great.
Thanks, Sylvia. That was the goal – woohoo! ๐
Wow! So clean and organized ๐ Love the library and cannot wait to see the rest of your room!!
Margaux
The Imaginary Classroom
I love your library! It's so sophisticated…perfect for those "big" kids!
Haha – thanks, Gladys! I will say I am SO happy they were not as "big" as I imagined. ๐
I love your library! This is my need to do project this year and the labels are FANTASTIC! I just wishlisted them, will purchase soon ๐
Danielle
Growing Special Seeds
Thank you so much, Danielle! I love how bright and colorful they are without being too 'kiddy'. ๐
The library turned out fabulous! Love it! The mustard wall doesn't even look bad at all! Are those all your personal books that you bought? I was wondering since you student taught 1st grade if you had that wide variety of books bought. I can't wait to see the final pics! I know it is going to knock my socks off!
The Polished Teacher
Hi, Ash! Thank you ๐ I have done SO much embracing of the yellow that I am beginning to ignore it – woot, woot. You're right – a majority of my books are K-2, but I am a book hoarder. About 150 or so of the books on the shelves are mine, 180 or so are my principal's books (she taught 5th grade for 4 years), a few were left by the teacher before me, and I just picked up 100 new ones at Scholastic today! ๐ I am SO grateful that I had already started an intermediate collection. If not, I would be panicked right now!
I LOVE your classroom library…and your bin labels…and your genre posters!!! I think I just found the inspiration I needed for my classroom library. Thanks for including the links to everything…makes it so much easier to shop ๐
Kris
OH…a question for you! Are the bins from Lowe's more sturdy than other shoebox sized bins? I know they have them at the dollar store, but wondered if you liked these better for any reason. Thanks!
Hi Kris! Thank you so much ๐ It has definitely been a labour of love, and I cannot wait for my students to use it! I like the Bella containers more than the dollar tree ones for a couple of reasons – (1) Last week they were $1 at Lowes (2) They are actually clear (not just a brushed clear/white); there is no 'film' on them (3) They are much deeper (like 4 ish inches) so they hold over-sized books really well (i.e. they do not flip over).
I'll be honest, I do not particularly care for them with school supplies. Initially, I thought I would put supplies in them but the rounded corners made it hard to stack rectangular and square things.
If you have any more questions, please let me know. :)[email protected]
This area of your room looks awesome! I love the Genres board and your library looks super organized. I can't believe your 5th graders don't go to the library!!!
It is an absolute travesty. Not only are my students not learning how to use a library and have less access to a wide variety of literature, they also miss out seeing one more adult who loves to read. It is SO frustrating, but not changing anytime soon….so we'll make it work! ๐
It looks amazing! I worked on my library today so I know how much time and effort it takes to organize and find all those books! I love the look of your library. It makes me want to sit down and go through those bins :)… I know your fifth graders will love them! I think I might have to get a few magazine racks for a few of my magazines. I was trying to figure out how to display them today without them getting crumpled!
Thanks for sharing your library ๐
Amanda
My Shoe String Life
Hi, Amanda! Thank you so much. I am sending positive library waves your way and cannot wait to see your final product. ๐ Staples had single magazine holders and then, triples that were tiered! The singles were 7ish dollars and I believe the triples were 17ish. Good luck!
Do you have a premade file for your "Words to Know"? I can see this adapting to my high school freshmen.
I absolutely love your library! I have the genre posters in my cart ready form purchase. I also love the vocabulary and was wondering if that was included? I didn't see it on the preview. If not, is there somewhere I can purchase that as well?
Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for the note. The Vocabulary is not included right now – sorry! I'll definitely add it to my to-do list, though. ๐
Your classroom library looks amazing, thank you for sharing!
I saw your article well. You seem to enjoy majorsite for some reason. We can help you enjoy more fun. Welcome anytime ๐
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