Organizing a classroom library can be quite a task, but finding free downloads can make it less painful. Organize your classroom library by theme or by reading level to make it work for you. Make your classroom library run smoothly and allow students to access books that fits their needs, reading levels or interests. Here are some fantastic ways to organize your classroom library books I hope you can find a way that’ll work for you and your students.
10 Classroom Library Organization Labels
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Organizing by Theme
1. Themed onto Cardstock –Creating a classroom library by tying it into your theme. These labels can clip or attach onto your baskets and be laminated onto scrap paper to add to the unified theme of your classroom. {Free Download}
2. Themed and Velcro – Use velcro (hook and loop tape) to create baskets where you can change themes throughout the year. Keep labels organized in a binder when not in use and make simple stickers that go on every book so there is no second guessing for students to know where to return books. {Free download}
3. Use What you Have – No matter what types of baskets, bins or tubs you can organize and label your classroom library. These book bin labels will give a great start and cover many themes. {Free download}
4. Pull it Together – Being able to print labels for the insides and containers that match makes the organizational heart happy plus it makes a system that runs smoothly for your students. {Free download}
5. Out of This World – With a space border, these basket labels will work great for third grade to organize by author, genre, series or topic. {Free download}
6. Dots and Rings – If your baskets have holes or open handles, you can print your labels and hole punch to insert rings to attach them. These dotted labels will make a good start if you’re seeing dots in your classroom theme. {Free download}
7. Color Coded – When organizing for upper elementary, you can use the color of baskets to signify the types of books/content and then use labels to take your categorization one step further. With 88 labels, you’re sure to find a good match for your room. {Free download}
8. Combination – If you’re into collecting series, then helping students find those books quickly is ideal. Students can really get into their favorite authors this way too. Here is a collection of labels that will work well in a primary classroom. {Free download}
Organizing by Level
9. Differentiating – Perfect example of how in a second grade classroom with reading levels ranging from first to fifth, how you can create and maintain a simple organization system that will include series and levels. Use of color coded dot stickers will play a big role.
10. Guided Reading Levels and AR Levels – Using a hole punch and a key ring can make for simple yet eye-catching labels for organization. If you have a library or section of your library that would best be labeled by levels A-Z or include AR levels, then these circles might just make your library go round.
What system do you think will work best for your classroom? Levels, themes or a combination of both?
Thank you fantastic teachers – your ideas above will inspire many! Feel free to grab the “I’m a Featured Teach Junkie” blog button as your organization tips are definitely worth the shout out.
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Teach Junkie
Leslie {aka the original Teach Junkie} loves learning new things to make teaching easier and more effective. She enjoys featuring creative classroom fun when she's not designing teacher shirts, making kindergarten lesson plans or planning her family's next trip to Disney World.