The Ideal Classroom Library

One particular aspect of being a teacher that I am excited about is having a classroom library. I am very passionate about students reading. I think that outside reading is vital to any English class. I want to incorporate outside reading into my curriculum by doing Literature Circles every so often and rewarding extra credit. I think that all these ideas are easier to accomplish if a classroom is set with a classroom library so books are more accessible to students. I have already started collecting books for my classroom library by looking at thrift stores and library sales. I don't mind buying books myself if I can find them at a good price. My books will be organized into genres so students can find exactly what they are looking for. I will use labels like the ones to the left (made by Beth Newingham) to label the different sections in my classroom library. Making your classroom library personal and fun is a great way to encourage reading. I strive to interest every student in my class to read outside the classroom. Another way I hope to interest my students is by designating a particular section of the classroom for the classroom library. Beth Newingham suggests having a reading center, filled with comfortable seating and appropriate lighting. I would love for my classroom library to have a home-like feeling so that students will be comfortable while reading, which will give reading a positive connotation. The classroom library below (in Angela Bunyi's classroom) is a great example of how a classroom library should feel.

There are lots of resources on the internet for teachers looking to start a classroom library. Scholastic.com has a section called "Top Teachers" by Beth Newingham and Angela Bunyi, where they talk about topics relevant to teachers willing to learn. Both teachers have sections on their classroom libraries. Although both of these teachers are primary teachers, one could definitely incorporate their methods into a secondary classroom. I am going to be certified 6th grade through 12th grade so I am planning on incorporating Newingham's and Bunyi's ideas into my secondary classroom. I believe that all students should have the opportunity to read outside the classroom and enjoy it. By having books of all genres, each student can find something that interests them. Whether a student is interested in Sports or Romance, I hope to have selections in my classroom library pertaining to those interests.

The outside reading done by students should be rewarded. I plan on implementing an extra credit policy in my classroom. I believe that students can learn in many different ways so I hope to give my students lots of opportunities. My plan is if students read an outside book, they can choose from a list of untraditional book reports to do for extra credit. My extra credit system will include activities like making a greeting card that one character might send to another, design 2-3 costumes that a character might wear, or write a "I Am" poem from a character's point of view. These activities will give students the opportunity to earn extra credit without slaving over a 3 page book report. Plus, I believe that students learn in different ways and have different talents, so why not let them embrace those differences.

Overall, books equal awesomeness. Outside reading is a terrific way for students to learn, to earn extra credit, and to display their talents. Win-win if you ask me!

labels: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3752283

picture: http://teacher.scholastic.com/top_teaching/