When teachers ask me to help them build a classroom library, I offer one key best practice to follow: Make it look like this:
In other words, make it look like a Barnes and Noble. Remember that you want to “sell” these books to your students.
Five copies of each title, I think, is perfect. It means that several students can read the same book at the same time. It also means that the books are easily findable, even if their covers aren’t facing outward (another best practice).
I’ve been slowly collecting popular titles via DonorsChoose. Check out my page if you’re interested in helping out. My biggest question is to whom I should donate these books. My preference is to donate them to one classroom, and I’m hoping to find one teacher who shares my vision and is willing to build a relationship.
Please let me know what you think!
Hi Mark,
Looks like you have acquired some cool new titles. Do you have a booklist that you would be willing to share?
Beth
Hey Beth! A booklist is a great idea. Let me get on that pronto. My big epiphany this year is that it’s better to have five copies of 20 titles than 1 copy of 100 titles.