In my classroom library, I do not level my books just so that I can assign students a color code (level) and then make them read only at that level. I make certain that my students are involved in the process in every way.

They read books from the classroom library and try to determine what levels seem "just right" for them. I meet with each student individually to decide upon a comfortable "just right" level so that students can start choosing appropriate books that they can read independently. Once a student's JR level is determined, he or she can refer to the basket labels as a guide for finding books that are "just right" for them.

As the school year progresses, students are constantly reevaluating what levels feel "just right" for them and reading trial books at a higher level before deciding to regularly read books at that level independently.

• A color code sticker can be found on the back of every book.
• Basket labels also indicate what color codes can be found inside.
• The color codes in my library correspond to Fountas and Pinnell's guided reading levels.

Learn more about my classroom library here.