I chose to read this chapter because I know this is what my focus is for this year, to organize my classroom library and hopefully make it outstanding! I have strategically made my classroom a rich and inviting environment but like the text states on pp.63, when libraries exist, its rare to see them well equipped and organized according to teachers and students needs and interests, which is my struggle. I go back and forth how exactly to organize my library appropriate for me and my needs but for my students to be able to appropriately access them.
The checklist on page 66 helped me know where to start when I start
tweeking my own classroom library. My struggle with a reading corner is
the lack of space. I have one of the smallest rooms in the building and
do not have a corner to make a reading corner or nook. My first few
years I tried hard but ended up having to take my pillows and bean bag
chairs home. If I didn't have two small group tables I would be able to
make it work but one of those is my working on writing area and the
other I use for guided reading with small groups.
Providing choice for my students when selecting books has been a good experience this year. Ive noticed the amount of excitement and engagement when it is a book that they are interested in vs. a book I choose for guided reading. Luckily I have a lot of high interest, easy readers for my students and have over the years narrowed down common interests of first grade students but I could also add to my collection. I am amazed at how many tiny hands come across these books and how after a year or two they start losing pages. Scholastic has been a great resource to earn points to purchase books for my classroom but unfortunately they seem to be the ones that tear up first.
My struggling readers are who I worry about the most especially due to the implementation of Daily 5 into my classroom this year. I want them to feel as if they can choose books as confidently as on level or above leveled readers. I know I'd also like to find a way to make sure my students expand their at home reading as well by sending home literacy book packs, ( I am always timid at sending books home because we have issues in the past with books not being returned or damaged as well as low parental involvement.) As a first grade team our goal is to try to take a class field trip to one of the Spartanburg libraries, in hopes students will encourage parents to want to take them.
Overall I think involving my students as much as possible even in the place they choose to read in is powerful and will drive students interests and overall growth in the classroom.
I know you have a challenging space to work with in your classroom, yet you haven't let that stop you!! We can continue to research some creative solutions to the space crunch. If only Mary Poppins had a classroom instead of a carpet bag! :-) Your questions about home literacy activities are important. I struggle with that too--I want to share resources, but when resources are also limited at school, what do we do? I've started to wonder if digital resources can be an interesting solution because they will not get "lost" and they have easy access for all parties. Raising awareness about community resources (like the public libraries) is a great place to start too. I love that you are so community minded!
ReplyDeleteHi Allie,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you being transparent in sharing with us what you are thinking about currently with your literacy instruction. You focused this month on your classroom environment and specifically the space, organization, and sharing of your classroom library resources. Space is always an issue, but I appreciate your willingness to make the most of what you have. You discussed the issue of wear and tear on our books in our classroom and the issue of sending books home when at times, they don't come back. I would like to encourage you to consider digital options and to also consider opportunities for your first graders to create their own books during writing workshop that are influenced by what they are reading that they can take home and share. Many times they are able to read these books and want to share them because they created them. I also agree with Melissa that digital resources are an option as well.
Sincerely, Dawn