Before students begin developing book award categories and nominating books from your classroom library for your Class Book Awards, they must first study the selection criteria used by notable book awards, such as the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal.

I often use this time to read aloud award-winning books and create a display of award-winning books in the classroom. Students may choose books featured in the display to put in their book boxes for individualized daily reading. My guided reading groups are often reading award-winning books at this time as well so that students are truly immersed in this prized literature.

Scholastic has lesson plans for teaching with Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, and Coretta Scott King Award Winners. You may also use lists of recent Caldecott, Newbery, and Coretta Scott King Award winning books in teaching about these awards.

Trade book sets of the Newbery Award winners, Caldecott Award winners, and the Coretta Scott King winners, as well as professional books on the subject are available from the Scholastic Teacher Store.