Creating a High-Quality Classroom Library
As we enter the start of a new school year, we look to setting up our classroom environment to ensure there is an optimal flow conducive to learning. And one of the most, if not THE most important spaces is your classroom library.
An effective classroom library is the heart of your classroom, it is where mentor texts for reading, writing, numeracy and more will be made accessible to your students. It is a warm and inviting area that will cater for your evolving individual student’s interests and abilities, whilst also encouraging curiosity to go beyond what they already know.
Research shows students who read for enjoyment have enhanced academic performance at school and improved mental wellbeing as well as being better connected to the wider community (ACER 2021).
The greater the volume of reading done by students the higher their reading proficiency and the more they will be inclined to read throughout their lives (D. Snowball 2009)
How many books do I need in my classroom library?
Can you ever have enough books in a library? Whilst the answer is ‘never enough’, there are some guidelines outlined by experts.
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Fountas and Pinnell suggest between 300-600 books
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International Reading Association suggest at least 7 books per child
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Scholastic state a minimum of 750 books
It is recommended that 50-70% of the books are non-fiction and around 10% is for reference materials. This includes a mixture of atlases, dictionaries, thesauruses etc (a selection of each as opposed to a class set of each is best). Categories may include:
Big books | Guided reading texts | Levelled readers | Chapter books | Picture story | Historical fiction
Fantasy | Sci-fi | Poetry | Dreamtime stories | Class made books | Wordless books | Graphic novels
History | Biographies | Wellbeing | Geography | Science | Sport | Technology | Cookbooks | Magazines
A diverse collection is key. It is important to remember our aim is to promote authentic reading practices if students are going to become lifelong learners. Therefore, while levelled readers are essential, it is just as important to teach students how to select texts that are ‘Just Right’ for themselves. This can be taught using both levelled and unlevelled texts. Including texts that acknowledge different cultures, religions, family structures, abilities, ages and backgrounds assist in fostering an inclusive classroom.
How should I display the books?
The next time you visit your favourite book shop take note of their set up and let this serve as inspiration for your own classroom library. A well-organised, clearly labelled area is essential for your students to be able to access what they need. Include a combination of books that are open-faced and as well as with spines showing, have books from the same series in tubs, single books standing up on display, big books on easels, books by the same author together, a ledge for current books being read etc. Support students by clearly displaying the difference between your fiction and non-fiction books.
What else do I need (other than books)?
The aim is to create a comfortable space, one where students will collaborate with you and their peers. It is a workable space where students read, write, learn, question, strategize and reflect. However, this doesn’t mean a lot of money needs to be spent. Rather, being resourceful and walking around the school may be all that is required to find a few items, shelves, cubes, cushions, rugs, tables, bean bags, magazine racks, the list is endless. Some teachers enjoy having a theme for the library too. Early in the year facilitate discussions with your students about how they would like the classroom to look, its purpose, how it will function and ensure students are taking the lead on setting it up.
Whilst there is no perfect classroom library making a planned effort now will set you and your students up for a successful school year.
schoolED can provide support for you including:
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resources on how to introduce the classroom library
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planned lessons
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model lessons or the implementation of a classroom library
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lesson ideas on how to best utilise the classroom library
References:
ACER (2021, May 6) Australian boys’ and girls’ enjoyment of reading – https://www.acer.org/au/discover/article/australian-boys-and-girls-enjoyment-of- reading
Scholastic Editors (2018, August 14) 11 Essentials for a highly effective classroom library. Scholastic Fountas, I., & Pinnell, G.S. (1996). Guided Reading. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
