It’s time for a little motivation!  I’m so excited to be teaming up with some of my Firstie Friends to bring you a little motivational series. This week is all about tips for organizing your classroom libraries. So… let’s get motivated!  

Organizing your classroom library can be such a daunting task.  You have to find a system that works for you, that is easy to maintain, and kid friendly. Over the years, I have had my thousands (no joke) of books arranged by themes, author, genre, and most lately, by levels. No matter how you have them organized, here are some tips to help along the way.

My favorite tip/trick for labeling is to use colored electrical tape. In first grade, color coding is KING! The tape comes in so many pretty colors and can be used whether you are organizing by author, genre, or book type. It has great adhesion properties, and I just have to cut a small piece for each book, stick, and go. No fancy labels to print or keep track of. This is especially helpful when I get new books, which is ALL THE TIME!

I also like the color coding because it is SO easy for the firsties to keep organized. It also does not require a lot of explanation to volunteers who pop in and want to help.

Since my storage space is so limited, I don’t put all of my books out at once. I like to change my books out seasonally, and color coding the storage bins makes this a snap!

My final tip for my classroom library is actually in the management of book selection. I love the idea of students having book “bins”, but I do not have ANY extra storage space for that! I started using a simple Ziploc Freezer Bag so my students can have a set of 5-6 self-selected books to read (chosen from their level or a combo of levels.) The bags are pretty sturdy and can store easily in their desks when not in use. Most of my students will keep their bags tidy for the whole year. (Using a sturdy freezer bag is key.)

If you missed my first post about how I leveled my classroom library you can check it out here:http://teach-a-roo.com/2015/07/organizing-a-classroom-library/

http://teach-a-roo.com/2015/07/organizing-a-classroom-library/

Thanks to Jen from Teacher by the Beach for organizing this Motivation Monday link up! Click on her button and see how some of my buddies organize their classrooms.  Be sure to follow along as we tackle some tasks to keep you movivated!