In a utopian world, our students would enter our classrooms as avid, loving readers. But as we know, that just isn't typically the case. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I love the challenge of winning over reluctant readers. I make it my mission at the start of the school year to have honest conversations about reading to see who I need to win over.
If, like me, you feel challenged by getting books in the hands of your students, try some of these helpful tips for organizing your classroom:
TIP #1: Books Read Poster
It's important that your students can also see YOU as a reader. Download this poster for free here. It is something that needs to be updated as you read new books, but it has proven to be worth it! Some students will pick up a new book simply because you read and recommend it.
TIP #2: Reorganize Classroom Library
Our classroom library game-changer: labeled front-facing book bins. This is not just an elementary strategy; we have found that students are checking out more books than
ever before since we have made this change in our secondary classrooms. We won’t lie, there is some initial work involved, but the books will fly off your shelves. So. Worth. It.
We found the most cost effective bins at Wal-mart and Menards. From there, there is lots of sorting involved (a job for a trusted TA). We have our labels that you can print for free or use as
category inspiration. The categories that are taking off in our classrooms are LGBTQIA+ and Manga.
TIP #3: Blind Date with a Book
Even the most reluctant reader get excited to unwrap new books that are set out. I have a dedicated shelf in my classroom for these wrapped books. Try finding some beloved books in your library that may not grab students with their cover. Write a short and intriguing blurb about the book. I found that writing the blurb in permanent marker, rather than a cutesy tag, was more effective for being checked out! It's best to buy a postal wrapping paper--like this one! This could be something you feature around Valentine's Day or keep in your room year-round.
TIP #4: BookTok Shelf
Might as well meet your students where they are, and let's face it, that's TikTok. Even though I am not an avid Tokker (?), I know that my students are on the daily. I started being asked over and over if I had certain titles in my classroom library: We Were Liars, They Both Die at the End, and others. When I questioned where this was coming from, it was a resounding: BookTok.
If social media is matching my students to books, why not make it easy access for them?! I started a space in my classroom where I cycle through these reads. A quick Google search will provide you with a list.
TIP #5: Watch the Reading Grow
Sometimes, I have stayed away from certain things in my classroom because I though it seemed too childish for high school.
You know something that students never grow out of loving? STICKERS. I have a two-part system in my classroom. First, once students finish a book, they fill out a review and tape it to my cabinets. Second, they are able to pick a sticker from my sticker bin. They can't wait to get their stickers. It's pretty adorable.
If you want to be extra, you can add all reviews into a drawing at the end of the year for an Amazon (or other) gift card.
I find my stickers pretty inexpensive on Amazon...like these.
I suggest adding these ideas into your classroom gradually. You don't want to overwhelm yourself needing to update all of the things, but we hope that each idea bring happy readers to your school space.
Peace and Books,
~Brittany
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