Classroom Tour: Classroom Library

School has started here....I can't believe it! I was able to get my classroom mostly ready a few weeks ago because I was going on vacation with my family.  I returned home from vacation on Sunday and hit the ground running on Monday!  We had Professional Development days on Monday and Tuesday and the kids started on Wednesday.  I have been busy busy, but I wanted to share a few photos of my classroom as it starts to take shape!

 Here is my classroom library!  Since I am a teacher on a budget, I have worked hard to use what I have.  Over the years I have bought new baskets as needed, but even though some are mismatched, I think it still looks good.  I have several book shelves (2 purchased and 2 acquired) as well as a few built in shelves.

 I have labeled each bin by theme, genre, or author.  I've tried many different ways and I have found that third graders like to "shop" for books by category.  So if they like horses, they want to pick books from the "horse" bin or the "animal" bin. Other favorites are "graphic novels" and "sports."

 I created and printed my book bin labels on plain white index cards and I laminated them.  I tape them to the handle of the bin and let the label hang down.  Each student will get a clothespin with their name on it and they will clip it to the card on the bin that they took the book out of.  This makes it easy to remember where to put it back when they are done!  Simple simple!  The maroon binder is a book sign out binder.  I didn't take a picture but each student has their own page.  They write the book title and the date they took the book out.  When they return the book, they record the date that they return it.

This bulletin board is in the book corner.  Each student brings a favorite book to school with them on the first or second day.  They share their book, we categorize them by author's purpose, and they create a fish for their book.  The fish includes their title, author, and an illustration which includes the main character(s) and the setting.  I like to think of it as an opportunity to share book ideas with their peers at the beginning of the school year.

Below the bulletin board are my signs for picking a "just right book."  You can find them in my TPT store.  Once I the students pick their first books out, I will share the sign out system with you all.
Happy Reading!

~Heather