Welcome Back! A New Classroom Tool.

After a long break (one school year), I'm back!

Now at the end of the school year I am reflecting on what I want to change for next year. One of the main things I want to change in my class is my library system. This year I have used a regular pen and paper checkout system. Students find a book they want to checkout and then write their name, the date, and the book title on a list located near my desk. This has worked pretty well but I feel as if it can be more efficient.

While perusing one of my favorite websites (The English Companion Ning), I found a link to website claiming to be a classroom library organization tool. Let me say, I have become skeptical when it comes to these classroom "tools". Usually, they are either lacking information or extremely expensive. This tool, however, is proficient in both knowledge and free-ness.

BookSource's "Classroom Organizer" is, simply, amazing. It allows teachers to scan books through their iPhone/iPad (free App) to create an online catalog. Students can then login to the website to checkout and return books. It allows you to set rules and gives students all kinds of information on the books they are interested in, such as AR points, length of the book, and recommendations. For those of us who are lacking in the tech department, "Classroom Organizer" allows you to manually log books as well.

Check out the below videos for more information on "Classroom Organizer".


Has anyone found anything like this or better? I'd love even more wonderful classroom tools!

 

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/