How to Store Guided Reading Books
Guided reading is a teaching strategy in which the teacher divides her students into reading groups. The students in each group all have the same or very similar reading levels and they work together with the teacher to read books and discuss them. This strategy is effective for any age group, but it can be difficult to manage the large number of books and supplies required. With a few creative storage solutions, you can organize and store your guided reading books for ease of access.
Things You'll Need
- Toy storage shelf with colored bins or bookshelf and plastic storage bins
- Markers
- Adhesive labels
- Sticky notes
- Pen or pencil
- Plastic basket with handle
Instructions
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Set up a toy storage shelf or bookshelf in your classroom for your guided reading supplies. The toy storage shelf is ideal if you have four groups or fewer, because the shelf will come with four large and four small plastic bins in coordinating colors. If you do not have access to a toy storage shelf with bins, purchase a regular bookshelf and colored plastic bins at a retail store. Find one large and one small plastic bin for each reading group in your class; each group needs a separate color if possible.
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Put adhesive labels on each bin and use markers to write the group names on the labels. For instance, your Red Group would have a large red bin and a small red bin. Label the large bin "Red Group Books" and the small bin "Red Group Supplies."
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Store the books for each group inside the large bins. Have the students in the group write their names on a sticky note and place it inside the cover of the book to keep track. Store the large bin on the bookshelf or toy storage shelf.
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Put reading group supplies in the small bins. This might include extra sticky notes, pens and pencils or incentive stickers. Place these on the shelf as well.
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Carry a teacher supply basket with you when you visit the groups. Keep your notes, grading materials, pens and pencils or other reading supplies in a plastic basket with a handle. Store this on or near the bookshelf or toy storage shelf.
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Tips & Warnings
When it is time for guided reading, a student from each group can easily go to the storage shelf and pick up the bins for his group.
Storing supplies in bins makes it easy to change out the books when it is time for a new one. Using generic group labels allows you to shift students from one group to the next without redoing your entire storage system.
Color coordinating makes it easier for you and your students to clearly see which supplies belong to specific reading groups.
References
- Photo Credit bookshelf image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
