Classroom Library Linky

I have posted about my library before this linky.

It was when I first started this system. It really has worked for me this year- there will, of course, be some tweaks next year.
I am on break this week, so I am going to use the pictures I already have from when I started:)

Ok, our district uses the Scott Foresman Reading Street and the levels are Blue, Yellow, and Green. So this made the most sense to me for organizing, I thought it would make it easier for them to choose and it wouldn't send them looking in bins that they are not ready for yet.

There are baskets for each dot (3 of each, I think). It just kind of ends up when I re-shelve them that the non-fiction and fiction get separated.

And then some of the baskets have two dots because they are "in between" groups.

Everyday four of my firsties get to "shop". (There is a schedule).
They choose 5 books. Four of them are "just right" and then one can be "just for fun".
This means that 4 of your books have to have your color dot from your group and then you can have one that is not your level- maybe they want it because they heard me read it, or they like the pictures or the author- but they like that just for fun book!

After they make their choices, they put them in their "book boxes".

They have their hands on LOTS of books all week long, but these five books are their "go to books".
For our Daily 5, we have our Read to Self very first thing in the morning when they come in.
They put away their things, turn in any homework, go to their box, get a book, and get to reading.
There is a basket of whisper phones above their boxes. (Makes for a very nice morning) :)

If it is your day to "shop" then you put these 5 books in the return basket and shop for 5 more.
I like this because the baskets on the shelves stay nice and neat.

This is over behind my desk. Mostly these are the books that I use to teach- and are on their comprehension level but not their reading level.  I rotate out holiday books- very easy to put my hands on the one I want.

I made these labels for the baskets. They are attached with tiny zip ties.
And then there are the stickers...I cut them as I need them.

 {Both of those are linked on Google Docs, just click on the pic- the stickers for the books are for 8160 labels}

Like I said at first, this is really working for our class- I have put in my request to get new bookshelves because the shelves on mine are very narrow.




I love being able to see everyone's libraries in this linky...so many ideas!

Be sure to link up to Mrs. Rider's party!

How do THEY know?

This is my first year to use the Daily 5. We actually call it Daily 5 +2.....there is Work with Teacher and Computer...
I have the posters around the room and on the door and near the centers so that they are using the language of the Daily 5.

I wanted to be sure THEY understood that they were accomplishing these tasks.....daily....

So I made these laminated strips of the Daily 5 (+2)
As they move through our day....centers, word work, writing, etc, they place a check mark with a dry erase marker. Their goal is to have them all marked....and we usually do (and then there are those days where we don't ).

Everybody has one under their name tag.....they are hot glued on.Since we started Read to Self (check out my post on book boxes) first thing in the a.m. they are very excited to have that one checked off.....and there are those who will make themselves cuckoo if they aren't done by recess........
I love that they are taking some responsibility and completing their tasks! (There's nothing like marking off a list to make you feel good!)