Setting Up a Kid's Remote Learning Library
This post is about how to set up your child’s home library so it will actually be used!
In a classroom, your child’s teacher will have a library for all levels of readers. This is an optimal way to get all kids to read. Even the most finicky reader will pick up a book when their library is organized and reflects the many levels a little reader will be at throughout their reading journey.
A typical library will have reading levels ranging from lowest to highest, in several different genres. You want to have enough variety to entice little eyes over to the library.
Shelves: You can find book bin shelves on sites like Amazon.com and Wayfair.com. Shelves vary in shape and size. Depending on your space and style you can get slanted shelves which require no book bins, or traditional low book shelves which will require purchasing book bins to place the books into. Classrooms use both kinds. On a slanted or single-sided shelf is where the books that a teacher really wants to put on a display will be. I have used this kind of shelf to rotate books that will be on a particular unit or lessons for the next few weeks. For example, if I was teaching a unit on American history for the next 6 weeks, I would have books on the American Revolution or Western Expansion on the slanted shelf, and all other books on a regular bookcase that houses a variety of genres. Alternatively, you can use a slanted case as the one in their bedroom and use a regular bookcase in a general space in the home such as a living room or den.
A library should consist of a variety of books that grow with your child so there is no interruption in the reading progression. Here are your next steps for building a home library that turns your little one into a phenomenal reader.
Speak with your child’s teacher to find out his or her reading level
Purchase books on that reading level and one or two levels above, as well as within that range (usually a range of 3 levels)
Buy bins that separate the leveled books by genre - you can start with your child’s favorite genre and add two more (or more!)
Label the bins with the reading level so your child knows what they are reaching for when they are ready to read. You can find cute reading level labels for the bins on Amazon. Alternatively you can simply get creative with a sharpie, some scotch tape and a piece of paper
If you have a struggling reader, buy books one level lower than their reading level as well as one level higher. Buying lower levels can increase confidence and provide an incentive for your child to pick up more difficult books at the next level
3 genres I like to start out with are: fiction, history, and science
Have a range of reading material such as magazines, comic books and graphic novels - there are some really fun, popular ones - even on history!
It doesn’t matter what your child likes to read as long as they are reading. Be flexible with their choices and you will find that one day they will pick up a book that will truly impress you! Some other ideas that may encourage a love of reading include:
Ask your child to recommend books to you and actually read them. At 8 years old my son recommended The Chronicles of Narnia series, I read it and loved it! Having your child recommend books is a great way to share a love of reading and spend some quality time with your child
Set up a book swap with siblings, family members, neighbors or friends. A book swap helps to minimize cost of buying books. There are also many parenting groups on Facebook that swap items with families to increase their savings and give back to their community
Fill your home library with books from your local library. You can choose to not buy books and just visit your local library to check some out. You or your child will need a library card for this. Borrowing books from your local library is free and you can simply return them when your child is done after a few weeks. Together you can then pick out another set of books for your library and rotate them as you both see fit. Don’t forget to set a reminder for when the books are due back at the library!
Lastly, have a quiet space where your child can go for reading aside from their bedroom. It should be comfortable and well-lit. Rocking chairs, cushioned benches, pillows and bean bags are all options. I have found that reading tents and teepees are also a favorite of kids looking to hide away with a good book.
Check out these links to helpful tools below:
Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading
Large reading pillow and lumbar support pillow
I hope these tips have helped to fire up some ideas for your child’s home library. Check out my website: elementaryreadingandwriting.com, for much more! There you will find lessons, book suggestions, and more blog posts to help your child’s learning journey.
With lots of love for your little one’s learning, Lexx