Building Your Classroom Library

So you think you don't have enough books to start Reading Workshop...

Well, I bet you do! Really think about how many books you have--I bet it's more than you think! But if you're wanting to expand your classroom library, and don't have bucketfuls of money to spend, here are a few ideas:

Talk to Your Principal

If you are truly interested in starting Reading Workshop and feel like you need more books, talk to your principal. Show him the research that supports it. Tell him your plan. You might be surprised. There may be some extra money that he is itching to spend! (It wouldn't take that much. You can get a 50 book collection from Scholastic for under $200). Or, there may be a stash of books hiding somewhere in your school that you can use to beef up your library. (Of course, I do realize that your principal might, indeed, be a female. Same thing applies).

If you never ask, the answer will always be NO!

Be Smart!

Spend your money wisely. Think about what kinds of books you want to buy. I like to focus on just a few types of books at a time, until I have enough of those to make a whole basket. For example, right now, I'm looking specifically for Frog and Toad books,  Mem Fox books and Ezra Jack Keats books. But I don't need anymore Dr. Seuss or Clifford books, so I won't waste my money on those.

I really try to buy the best quality literature that I can--stories that kids will fall in love with and can learn from! I would rather have one Kevin Henkes book than 3 Disney Princess or Transformer books.

Choose paperbacks whenever possible. They're cheaper, take up less space in your baskets and are easy to repair.

Use Scholastic Book Club Points!

I've gotten more books from Scholastic than from anywhere else--either for free or really cheap. Even when I worked in lower-income schools, my parents still ordered from Scholastic. Not only do I love the free books, but I truly believe that it's an excellent way for families to get good quality books for a reasonable price. And research shows that the more books children have in their homes, the better readers they become. So it's win-win!

I do everything I can possibly do to get bonus points. Sometimes, if I order just one more book on my book order, I can get 500 more points. They have special deals and promotions all year long--pay attention and get those points! I get free books with every single order I place!

When you order you books, either with points or money--look for the special packs of books. For example, last year, I got 5 Karma Wilson bear books for $18. I also like their non-fiction, sight word and phonics book packs.

Speaking of Scholastic--Have you even been to one of their warehouse sales? OMG. That's all I'll say. Check {here} to see if or when there's a warehouse sale near you.

Buy Used Books

Check garage sales, library sales and used book stores for used books.

I get a lot of books from Half Price Books. And they have a teacher discount and special teacher appreciation days, as well.

Beg

I'm not afraid to do it. Ask friends to donate the books their children have outgrown to your class. What if your friends only have extra copies of Fifty Shades of Grey lying around? Ask them to donate them anyway. Take those books and sell them to Half-Price Books and then buy children's books with the money!

When your parents ask you what you need for your classroom, tell them--BOOKS!

Add an Amazon wishlist to your class blog or website.

Ask for books in lieu of Christmas and teacher appreciation gifts (Come on--do you really need another scented candle or mug?)

Check-out Reading A-Z.com

They have fiction and non-fiction leveled readers to print and assemble. Your school or district might already have a subscription. And if not, they have a 7 day FREE TRIAL. Click {here} to check it out!

Make lots of Class Books

These are always some of the most popular books in my library! And they are FREE.

 

Use the Books from your Adopted Reading Series

I use the leveled readers, anthologies and trade books that came with mine. I put a piece of painter's tape on spine so I can easily keep track of which books belong to the school and which ones belong to me. And check around for old, out of adoption books. We seem to get a new reading series every few years, and thus have an abundance of books. I snag them from the first grade teachers when they want to get rid of them.

Make Lots of Charts and Posters

I think it's good to have a variety of things for kids to read. They love getting pointers and reading the various charts and posters around the room.

Submit a Project to Donors Choose

I know lots of tecahers who have gotten some pretty amazing things for their classrooms this way!

Want a Free Magazine Subscription?

Every year, I send home the flyers from Highlights magazine. If you get enough of them back (and the parents don't actually have to subscribe--they can say no!), you get to choose a free gift. They have lots of cool stuff, but I always go for the free subscription! I've gotten a free subscription to High Five for the past 3 years. (I like it better than Highlights for emergent readers). Click {here} if you want to try it.

So, in the next few days, I will post a sneak peek of how I organize my classroom library and talk about the kinds of books I like to start the year off with. And if you have any great ideas of how to get books, please leave a comment. We would all love to hear it!

Happy Reading!

Comments

[Marlana]

Great suggestions! I have a silly question. How do you have your posters attached to the hanger? I'm sure it should be self-explanatory and if you tell me you just used tape, I'll feel silly. Ha! :)

Blessings,
Marlana
Lil' Country Kindergarten

[Suzanne Huber]

I'm wondering the same thing as Marlana! HAHA! Are their posters on both sides to make them stay? Did you use butcher paper, chart paper, or poster board?

So sorry. I know that's not the point of your post. Here's another suggestion. A teacher who works in my district found out that her local thrift stores and used book store toss kids books in the trash! Yes, they throw them out! Why? They are usually torn or have writing in them, so they aren't worth anything to the store. She doesn't live in town, but she started collecting them and emailing us to come pick them up. It is a wonderful resource that also saves the environment. If a child accidentally messes one up, I don't get upset. And I got a lot of books I wouldn't have purchased for my room because I thought they weren't kindergarten appropriate - board books with flaps or textures intended for toddlers. The students love these, especially those who have had little exposure to books at the start of the year.

[Liz Mccaw]

Hi Kathryn, excellent post (again). I also was wondering about the posters.

I've found that another way to get books is the public library. We can sign out upwards of 20 books as well as emergent literacy kits.

Liz :)

http://crazyforkindergarten68.blogspot.ca/

[Liz Mccaw]

Hi Kathryn,

I have put a link to this super blog with my balanced literacy blog. If that's not ok just email me and I will remove it.

Liz :)

elizmccaw@gmail.com

http://crazyforkindergarten68.blogspot.ca/2012/07/balanced-literacy-program.html

[LP]

Okay, another question coming that has not much to do with this post... where'd you get the label for your book basket (the one that says "song books" on the picture you posted?) I've been looking for AGES for name plates/desk toppers/whatever you want to call them WITHOUT lines on them.

Thanks!

[Stephanie]

How did you make or where did you buy the poster chart holder? I love it!

[Erin]

LOVE your blog and always find something truly amazing to put in my room...I took your labels last year but am needing to add to my library and have a few boxes that you don't would you mind sharing your font that you use so I am able to make some that match yours?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your amazing posts.

[angela]

Where did you get the ideas for the posters? Would LOVE to make some for my first classroom this year, but I have NO idea where to get things like that to make into posters, nor am I good at writing rhymes