I had not originally intended to write a post on how we do book boxes and shopping in my classroom, as it was going to be a part of last week’s post about our classroom library. However, there was so much I wanted to say about the topic that it ended up meriting its own post entirely! To read more about how we keep our classroom library functional, check out this post!
As I mentioned last week, I had heard of Daily 5 here and there, but never really knew what all it entailed until I picked up the Daily 5 and CAFE books. I wish I had done my research earlier! But that is something I will revisit later on. In the meantime, I bring you all the things about book boxes and book shopping in Ms. Horton’s (that’s me!) class.
Book Boxes
Something new this year that is taking place because of our Covid procedures AND in great part due to the implementation of Daily 5 in my classroom, is book boxes. This new addition is working so well, that I cannot imagine not using it in the years to come.
Each student is assigned their own Book Box. They keep all the books they have checked out from the classroom library (they are limited to 10), their textbooks, folders, notebooks, and school library books inside this box. Sometimes, there is a bit of overflow, so we do need to reorganize and clean out the boxes. I have two classes this year, so in order to prevent students from handling the supplies of other students, all books and folders are kept here rather than in our desks. Once Covid restrictions lift, this will likely change.
When my classes come in each day, they know to go get their Book Boxes from where they are stored (currently around the edges of the classroom on the floor!) Eventually, I’d like to invest in more shelving so things are tidier! Putting our Book Boxes away signals that it is time to transition to their other class mid-day or at the end of the day.
The Book Boxes I ended up going with were a bit pricey. However, I splurged in the hopes that these containers will last m for the next 3-4 years. They are nice, sturdy, and roomy. I bought them on Amazon here.
Book Preview
Before we start book shopping, I introduce all the brand new books (and some older books from our library) to the class. As I mentioned last week, I was a recipient of the James Patterson and Scholastic teacher book grant. I still have loads of new books at my house that I am slowly but surely bringing into school each week to talk up to the students.
As I go over each book, I explain what I know about the book, if I have personally read it, and if it has any read-alike potential with other books the class loves. Students write down the titles of any of the previewed books that they are interested in. While they book shop, I compile the lists and try (and so far have been successful) at making sure each student gets at least one of their requested books to add to their book box for the week.
This simple routine may take an extra 10-15 minutes, but it adds to the fun of Friday and it gets the kids excited about reading! They look forward to seeing what new books I’ll be bringing in each week.
Book Shopping
If you are familiar with Daily 5, you know that Book Shopping is a thing! This year, we book shop on Fridays. I send no more than 2 students at a time. First, they determine how many books they are turning in, which gives them a number of books to shop for. For example: Jonny has 10 books (our maximum) checked out. He has 4 he wants to return. This means, he can check out 4 new books. Sally Sue has 7 books checked out. She wants to return 3. She can now check out 6 new books.
Students bring their returned books to the Book Quarantine and then go to the class library to check out their books. Once they’ve chosen their books, they bring them to me, I scan them into the Book Buddy app, and off they go. Eventually, I would love to have an iPad whose sole purpose is working the Class Library so that students can check out their own books.
While students are book shopping, the other students are working on Daily 5 tasks. I have never seen kids that are so excited for books and to read them. I absolutely love this system and hope you find something here that you can use in your classroom!
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Thanks for stopping by today!
I will see you again (virtually!) soon!
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