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How to Organize Classroom Library for More Diversity

Do you have a classroom library setup in your classroom? I hope you do because when your classroom library is setup correctly, it can really be an ANCHOR to all the reading units you are going to teach. Since I've taught kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade; I've setup quite of few classroom libraries myself.  I've seen and have helped literacy teachers set up their classroom libraries over the years as a literacy coach. 

One thing I've noticed in many classroom libraries is the lack of diversity. I encourage you to include a variety of backgrounds, cultures, races etc. into your classroom library.

Why?

Because your class or amazing students are NOT all one race, culture, or background. Right? So, in my opinion, our classroom libraries should look the same. When your students visit the classroom library to go bookshopping; no matter what bin of books they choose… there should be a variety of backgrounds represented. I can't wait until we get to that place where across America and the world, classroom libraries are diverse. 

Let's chat about FOUR steps that you can follow to organize your classroom library for more diversity to match your students.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW!

STEP 1: Make a List of Big Topics Your Students Enjoy

This can be any topics that you've noticed your students are interested in. It can be related to:  math, science, social studies, biographies, memoirs, fairytales, realistic fiction, series, etc. The sky is the limit. Feel free to ask your students for their feedback on their favorite books; so they feel apart of this process.

Let's say we took the big topic of WEATHER. There's a lot of books about the weather. You could have a topic basket in your classroom library labeled “Weather”. Then you could fill that bin with tons of books about the weather.

STEP 2: Break Down the Big Topics into Subtopics

Let's keep going with this weather example. You could ask your students what kinds of weather are they most interested in. Maybe they are interested in hurricanes and tornadoes. Okay, so that means I have to make sure I have a few books inside the classroom library about hurricanes and tornadoes. And of course, you should include other weather books too. 

STEP 3: Think of Parallel Topics to Your Subtopics

Now it's time to think of some parallel topics to the subtopics. Remember my BIG TOPIC is weather. My subtopics are hurricanes and tornadoes. So what could be parallel topics to hurricanes and tornadoes? Well… if my students love to read about hurricanes and tornadoes; then maybe they would be interested in tsunamis. So I'm going to add a few books on tsuanmis and add them to the weather basket. 

STEP 4: Connect Your Subtopics and Parallel Topics to Any History or Culture

Are you ready for the last step? With our weather example, I'm going to show you one possible way to connect the weather basket of books to ANY history. I encourage you to ask yourself; “Is there anything in history that will connect to your big topic, subtopics, or parallel topics?”

So I've got to ask myself this question. Well, of course. I could add texts on a real hurricane, tornadoes, or tsunami that actually happened in our history. I could also include famous men and women of all different races who are scientists or meteorologists. 

WOW, do you see how this weather basket has been transformed into a very DIVERSE bin of texts for students? As they go bookshopping, they are going to find representation of a variety of cultures and backgrounds inside this basket.

Are you ready to start organizing your classroom library to make it more diverse?

Take some pictures of your classroom library or even just one basket of books that you've transformed and made more diverse. DM on Instagram or share it inside our Literacy Teacher Greatness Facebook Group.  I would love to see it, cheer you on, and celebrate with you. 

Once you've set up your classroom library the way you want; then it's time to teach your students how to book shop for just right books.

If you looking for lesson plans, book shopping strategies to teach your students how to choose just right books; then grab my Book Shop ‘Til You Drop resource bundle.

This classroom library checkout system includes:

  • 3 Lesson Plans and Strategies
  • 10 PowerPoint Slides to Help Teach Routines & Expectations 
  • 2 Anchor Charts
  • Book Shop Schedule Posters
  • Teacher Tools
  • Graphic Organizers
  • Strategy Cards
  • Star Rating Templates

I can't wait to hear how your classroom library turns out. Have fun teaching your students routines and expectations for choosing just right books. I hope they are excited to see a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and races represented in your classroom library. 

Let's dream big and grow together!