Sunday, March 18, 2012

Organizing Books Students are Reading

Last week I posted about organizing my classroom library.  Now it's time for how I organize the books when they are out of the classroom library and being read by students.  Again, I struggled with this one for a few years too.  Books in the desks get mashed, ripped and bent.  Then I allowed students to have one book kept on top of the desk in the corner; those were always in the way.  This also didn't give students the opportunity to read very many books.  Then I tried book boxes, but they were cumbersome to store and difficult for students to take with them around the classroom or to other places.  So, I tried bags.  Books stay healthy, students can have several on hand to read, they can take them anywhere and they are easy to store.  Solution to all of my previous problems.  So, this is how I do it.  I purchased these tote bags in packs at Walmart.  I think they came 3 or 4 to a set.  I have sets in brown tones and bright tones.  The various colors make it easier for students to spot their bag.  I took out all the pink ones because I numbered the bags and didn't want a boy to end up with a pink one if his number happened to match a pink bag.  So each student, who has a class number, belongs to their corresponding bag.  I'm lucky enough to have a few extra cubbies, and the bags store perfectly there.  I've labeled each cubbie with the bag numbers that belong there.
Last year, I was in a different room and I tried the command hooks, but I needed to have ones that
would hold more weight.  If you don't have cubbies, I would suggest perhaps having a handy person make a board of hooks that could be mounted on your wall. Students keep 8-10 books in their bags.  They can change them in the morning before school starts or any time they finish work early.  Students grab their bags and quickly go to reading spots for silent or partner reading, they get them when they finish work early or during tests.  We can take them with us to upper grade buddies or to the computer lab.  Additionally, within their tote bag, I added a smaller bag.  This bag is for guided reading books.  I wanted students to have access to the books I gave them during groups so they could reread them.  I didn't want them to get mixed up with the other books they had.  This has also worked out great.  In the smaller bag, they keep their reading journal along with the books from group.

This bit of organization has helped my student have access to books more often and has kept my books in good shape.  How do you organize the books your students read or how do you see implementing these ideas?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!


  1. I've been trying out book bags in my classroom this year with ziplock bags and they are not working so well. I thought about buying the bags that are a dollar from the dollar spot at Target or the dollar store. Seeing it in action inspires me to do it. How much were the bags at Walmart?
    Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Kindergarten

    1. I'm not sure about the price, but I'm guessing they end up being about a dollar and a half. They are made of a pretty sturdy canvas material. Be sure that whatever bags you get are well made. I've also seen some in Oriental Trading, but I know those are not as well made and the handles are very flimsy. Bottom line, it's worth a little more money up front if it means the bags will last a few years. The ones in the picture are at the end of their second year of use and I see them being use for at least another two years.

  2. Isn't everything we do about trial and error?? Love the bags! My cardboard book boxes have seen better days!!

    Peace, Love, and First Grade


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