Week 10 Review: The Importance Of The Classroom Library from Heather Wolpert-Gawron
In March of 2016, Heather Wolpert-Gawron created a post on her website TweenTeacher.com that highlighted the importance of creating a classroom library. Her blog has a large amount of resources for unique curriculum design and developing lessons that connect with students, incorporate the world around them, and leverage pop culture. This article in particular focuses on an element inside the classroom. She classifies students into four different categories in regard to choosing books and uses this system to rational the use of a classroom library:
1. The Brash Bibliophile
This kind of student is well-versed in the language of book choice and has no trouble seeking out the type of reading material that they want. They are willing to find a way to get to the library and local bookstore by any means necessary.
2. The Public Library Literate
This category of students can't or won't go to a story, but they will go to the local library. They are also comfortable seeking out books on their own, or with the assistance of a familiar face.
3. The Lunchtime Lurker
These students are only comfortable at the school library, searching for the perfect book then taking it home with them to read on their own.
4. The Fretful Phobe
This is the group of students that will benefit the most from your classroom library. These are the students who are so frightened of books/literacy/choice that they only feel comfortable in a classroom library where they know exactly where to find certain books and have you nearby to provided trusted advice.
What should I do as a teacher?
It is up to the classroom teachers to attract all of these types of students. Heather suggests finding an organizing method that works well for you. In her classroom, she has unique figurines or bookends in the different sections of her bookshelves to help her students identify different genres. She also utilizes a checkout system that involves slips of paper that have the book information on it that the student can rip up once they return the book. Involving your library in different standard lessons is an important way to keep your students thinking about the resources available to them.
One day, the books may fall apart, but remember; there is no better death for a book then having been read too much by too many." |
If you'd like to see more from Heather Wolpert-Gawron
and TweenTeacher: |
@burtnessenglish 10/22/2016