December- "Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library"

Rhonda Dickerson

December- “Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library”

    I felt good after reading this chapter. My classroom library is inviting and diverse.  I have a good selection of fiction and non-fiction.  During independent reading time, the children are allowed to get comfortable and sit wherever they like.  There are crates, rugs, and a rocking chair in the classroom.  The children take turns sitting in the rocker.  Lamps are turned on and quiet music plays during reading time.  Most of the children look forward to independent reading time.

   I am fortunate to have a friend who works for a foundation that supports reading in schools.  The foundation supports AR and helps Harlem schools get started by supplying books, computers, and training.  The director sent me over 200 books last year for my classroom library.  Most were non-fiction and the children have loved them!  I already had a large selection of fiction books.  On holiday months, I add an appropriate basket of books and invite the children to enjoy those also. 

The students are expected to read within the suggested range from the STAR assessment.  I do not block them from other books unless their comprehension percentage is suffering.  I feel that there have to be some parameters at this young age as these students are learning to read.  They cannot just choose anything and be expected to understand what they read.  So I disagree somewhat with the section “Pay Attention to Students’ Interests and De-Emphasize Leveled Books”.  Between the WHES library and my classroom baskets, there are plenty of interesting books for children to choose from within their suggested ranges.  These books are not leveled readers from the textbook company, but rather real literature of a rich and varied assortment.  And again, I do not block them from reading those they are interested in, I just encourage reading within the range for comprehension purposes.  We have "freebie" days when they can read whatever they wish, whether higher or lower.  They are allowed to check at books from the library outside the range.  I am hopeful that these practices strengthen their comprehension and help them develop good, strong reading strategies.