Chapter 5: Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library Blog # 7! Tori Miller

While reading Routman chapter 5, Organize an Outstanding Classroom Library, I focused on evaluating my classroom library using the chart found on page 66-67. I decided to evaluate my classroom library so I could focus on things I needed to improve on for the next school year.

1.       My classroom book nook does jump out at me and others that come into my classroom. Many times this year others have walked into my room and commented, “I love your reading garden.”

2.       My classroom library does look beautiful and contains an inviting display of plentiful reading materials.

3.       My classroom library does include a variety of genres and literary forms. Poetry would be the least that I have so I do need to focus on getting poetry books for my kindergarten room. Any ideas where to find any? Or suggestions of good poetry books for a kindergarten classroom?

4.       Yes, most of the books in the library are written by well-known children’s authors such as Bill Martin, Eric Carle, Mo Willems, Lucille Colandro, and Dr. Seuss.

5.       I have current books that accurately and aesthetically portray other cultures but not enough. I definitely could use more of these!!

6.       Like number five I could use more books that have the students’ language and culture in them, I have a few Dora books that have Spanish words but do need to increase my books selections for this.

7.       I have made all of the selections and organizational decisions about the design of the library and how books are to be grouped and what reading materials to include. I do change out the books based on our studies at the time and the students’ interest but I haven’t let them give much input on the grouping and design. This I will try to change.

8.       Struggling readers can easily find books that they can read and want to read. I have books that just have one or two words, sight word books, picture books, and leveled readers that are leveled by letters (A-D) and colors (red, blue, green).

9.       There are comfortable areas for students to sit and read. I have a child size Adirondack chair with a lime green pillow in it, lime green rugs on the floor with pillows for the students to sit and read, a floor chair with a Pete the Cat pillow, a child size chair and couch, and a bus tent for the students to read in.

10.   I do add to, change, and rotate to my collection of books based on the needs, interests, curriculum of my students.

11.   My classroom library does include children’s favorite authors, books, and series and is based on the students’ preferences and not mine.

12.   My classroom library is a place that children love to go to seek and find wonderful reading materials. My students love to find the “new books” that I rotate in and see if they can read them. They get so excited when they can read the books!

Through this self-evaluation of my classroom library I have a list of things to improve on for the next school year to improve my classroom library that I might have the OUTSTANDING CLASSROOM LIBRARY that every student deserves!