Day One: Classroom Library

A classroom library is one of the most important parts of creating a literacy-rich environment for students. I started my search for novels at garage sales and used book stores. The previous Grade 5/6 teacher also had books left in the classroom so my library is looking very appealing! I began a book-borrowing system, where students sign books out by placing the labeled index card into their pocked on a class-chart. When students sign out a book that belongs to the school (which does not have an index card inside) the students will create their own index to place in their pocket. Here is a visual of our system:

Our reading program will be supplemented by a D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) program, in addition to an at-home reading program through A-Z Reading books. Students will be help up to very high expectations of bringing the books home, spending 20-30 minutes reading independently, or preferably, with their family members, and the students will return the books to move onto higher levels.

Today's purpose was to organize a classroom library and cover a clean slate of bulletin boards (which are thankfully plentiful). Generally, the classroom is starting to come together, and tomorrow will be another full day of preparations. Tomorrow, I will post photos of the classroom with all bulletin boards and the library completed.