There are a number of factors that impact students' ability to read. Without access to various genres, many students are less likely to read. Therefore, teachers should provide students with lots of books and choices. According to Routman, Reading Essentials, it is difficult to maintain a strong independent reading program without an excellent classroom library. Therefore teachers should make it a priority to provide students with a creative, attractive, and accessible library.
In today's classrooms, teachers have so many demands on them. Therefore, this can affect how they view classroom libraries. In order to have an effective library, it takes time and planning. Teachers can remove some of the burden of setting of the library by allowing the students to help set it up. According to Routman, when student help create the library, they use it more. Too often, we teachers do all the work.
An unorganized library will affect students' reading because they are less likely to read if they cannot find books that interest them.
I agree with you. There have been so many times that I have gone into a classroom where books were just on a shelf with no rhyme or reason of why they were put where they were. I can also say that I have been guilty of this too. One of the classes that I go into daily has an excellent classroom library set up. There are so many baskets that the books are in. Baskets are labeled by genre, topic, and some by lexile level. There are so many choices for the students to choose from. I am trying to organize and set up my classroom library similar to this.
ReplyDeleteHi Annette,
ReplyDeleteWhat chapter are you reading for Routman for this post? You discussed the importance of a well stocked, well organized classroom library and how it is necessary in order for independent reading. Tell me what you think of Routman's points and suggestions about creating an effective classroom library? How does this look in your classroom? What is working? What could be better?