Lindsey Layton - Blog Post #4 - November

Lindsey Layton Blog Post #4: Routhman Chapter 5:  Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library

            I found Chapter 5 in Routhman’s Reading Essentials a very informative chapter. I completely agree that successful independent reading is associated with a well-maintained classroom library.  The more reading materials available to students, the more likely students will be willing to read.  I feel that it is imperative for teachers to have a wide variety of genres and levels available to all students.  For instance, as a third grade teacher, I have a variety of different genres and levels for my students to choose from.  This allows students to pick the right fit book for them and also ensures they are not reading a book too challenging or too simple for them. 

            I always begin the school year by explaining to my students how the classroom library is organized, library rules, and how to choose a good fit book for the students.   I feel it is imperative to make sure that each of my students have access to books and/or the opportunity to get books.  I allow students to out books from my classroom library and also give students the opportunity to purchase their own books through Scholastic Book Orders.  Scholastic provides a variety of different book order forms including different grade level books, genres, and books written in Spanish.  I find this to be essential for my students since approximately 50% of my students are ESOL students.

            I enjoyed reading about the suggestions on how to build and organize an outstanding classroom library.  For instance, teachers should listen to their students to try and find out books, authors, or series the students are interested in.  This will help make students more enthusiastic about reading.  A quote that stuck out to me while reading Chapter 5 is, “While levels can be a helpful guide for teaching students, we need to be careful to factor quality of text and students’ interest (p.69).”  This is the main reason, I have chosen to organize my classroom library by genres.  While levels are important for students, I feel students should also have the opportunity to read books they will enjoy and can capture their attention.