Have your students lost interest in your classroom library? Do they no longer get lost in the stories that line its shelves? If you’re looking to reintroduce your young readers to all the wonderful learning opportunities their classroom library has in store for them, you’re in the right place! Follow these five tips to rekindle your students’ love for your classroom library and everything it has to offer.

Keep your classroom library running smoothly with these 11 classroom library essentials!

Make you classroom library more inviting with a quick redesign
Sometimes all it takes is a quick reorganizing of books, rearranging of shelves and storage bins, or adding new décor to inspire students to look at their classroom library in a new light. Start by thinking about your students’ interests and needs and look for simple solutions to make your classroom library more inviting. New wall displays, posters, and bulletin boards related to reading and language arts will not only bring new life to your classroom library, this new décor will support your teaching, too.

Celebrate new books
Young readers love new books, so instead of putting all your books out at the beginning of school, hold onto a few and introduce them throughout the year. One fun way to rekindle your students’ love for their classroom library is by designating a “New Release” day each week and celebrate the newest addition to your classroom library with a class read-aloud! Wondering which books to add to your classroom library throughout the year? These popular fiction and nonfiction picks are a great place to start!

Bring your students together with group read-alouds
Regular group read-alouds are the perfect way to show your students just how magical your classroom library really is. Classroom library collections featuring your students’ favorite characters like Pete the Cat, Fly Guy, Pigeon, Henry and Mudge, and Junie B. Jones will not only capture your kids’ attention during story time, they’ll help your students develop the key literacy skills they need to become strong, independent readers.

Engage students in booktalks
Aside from regular group read-alouds, weekly booktalks are another great activity to help strengthen your students’ bond with your classroom library. Using your classroom library as a backdrop for your weekly booktalk, you’ll not only inspire your students to think critically about the books they’re reading and develop important listening and presentation skills, you’ll also inspire a love of reading among your students, too. To learn how to conduct your own booktalk in your classroom library, just follow these easy steps. 

Throw a party for your classroom library!
A party may be all your students need to fall back in love with your classroom library. Whether you dedicate five minutes or an entire afternoon, take some time to celebrate your classroom library and everything that makes it special. Invite students to help decorate and tidy up before the big day, organize a book parade if you’re so inspired, read-aloud to your kids, and ask students to share a few words about their classroom library and what they love most about it.  

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