daunting once, beautiful now - classroom library organization made simple

One of the most daunting tasks I've ever taken on in organizing my classroom was approaching my classroom library. I knew that I didn't want to have all of my books out at once, but needed to come up with a kinder-friendly system that allowed me to rotate books as needed. While this seemed daunting to start, it is now the easiest system to upkeep (add my new books to) and I never have to worry about my books getting mixed up with others because they are uniquely labeled!

Pictures were the solution I needed for my beginning readers and add a little tape, velcro, some paint stirrers, strong baskets and voila!

I have 16 baskets out at one time here which my kinders access every morning during quiet reading time. It is part of our procedures that we learn to return the baskets with the picture label showing outward. Oh, the things we have to teach sometimes... You can see that if I choose to care (and I do!) some of my basket labels will need to be re-printed and laminated this summer as they have been ruffled through many kinder hands over the past five years.

Each basket has two velcro squares and all of my labels have matching velcro squares. Velcro allows me to easily change out the front labels whenever I desire.

I have over 50 different categories for my book collection now, so the remaining ones are tucked away in my closet in a system that allows me to maximize space. I simply printed the same pictures onto paint sticks and use those to stick out from the books to separate each category. Now, if I could only remember to rotate books out more often!

These themed labels have really helped me out in the long run and to minimize the daunting task of labeling every book, my favorite kinder teacher down the hall had parents help organize her library by sending one basket and set of labels home to get the ball rolling. Hopefully having these as a tool ready to go - you'll find this project less daunting! Here they are FREE - enjoy! Click the photo to download the book basket labels and book labels. Print as many as needed to label your collection!

Book & Basket Labels - Themes

Here is a way to keep yourself and your extra labels organized for the future and the next time your Scholastic order comes in! Grab a binder, ziploc bags and you're ready to print and be organized! Click the photo to download the organization sheets.

If you download these and like what you see leave us a note! Happy organizing!

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- Leslie

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