Creating classroom environments that are literate, organized, purposeful, and accessible nurture literacy and foster independence. Debbie Miller, Reading with Meaning

C LASSROOM ESSENTIALS : Word Wall Gathering area on the carpet Share Chair Conferencing/Guided Reading Area (Ex. Kidney shaped table) Book of the Month Board Response to Literature Standards-Based Bulletin Boards (math, reading, writing, science) Classroom Library Center Stations (Ex. listening center, writing station, reading corner, etc.) Artifacts displayed throughout the classroom Students folders (Ex. reading, writing, math)

Need to be up and going Day 1 Student names should be on the wall for their arrival Words should be added to the wall frequently Words should be removed from the wall once they have been mastered by the majority of the class “Word Wizard” Be creative with them! There are a million ways to utilize a word wall. Don’t just let them sit there all year. Word Wall resource book (C.T.)

This area is usually defined by a large carpet or rug area in which all students can sit comfortably. Materials Needed: teacher chair, Share Chair, easel to create teaching charts, large rug/carpet When do we gather on the carpet? mini-lessons, book talks, read-alouds, share time, etc.. Why do we gather on the carpet? To help students remain more focused. To provide the teacher with more control over student attention (“Read the Room”). To foster a more intimate environment verses one in which a student may feel disconnected.

What is in your guided reading area……… Let’s talk!

G OOD THINGS TO HAVE MAY INCLUDE : A board to write on (chalk board or dry erase board) Sentence strips Post it notes or page markers Sight word rings Pencils, pens, dry erase markers, erasers… Highlighters Sentence strips Magnetic letters Index cards Strategy cue cards

C LASSROOM LIBRARIES Think of your classroom library as a marketing tool. Just like bookstores and libraries change their displays to reflect the seasons and to attract readers to specific books, the library in your room should also change to reflect the work of your class throughout the year. (Growing Readers, Kathy Collins)

1) Understand how classroom libraries work 2) Plan your classroom library 3) Set-up and organize your classroom library for success 4) Sustain your classroom library 5) Teach with your library-provide structure and guidance for independent reading Scholastic, 2010

C REATE A PLAN AND SET IT UP ! You’ll need: A large area to display books (shelves, cubbies, etc…) Books! Lots and lots of books! Pillows, rugs, lamps, bean bags… Book tubs ( Basket labels (

Chapter Books Realistic Fiction Animal Characters Action-Adventure Books of the Month Past Books Poetry Shel Silverstein Reading Levels* A-V ( Character Traits Responsibility Charitable Famous Authors Judy Blume Eve Bunting Patricia Polacco Fiction Books Fairy Tales Sports Mystery Folk Tales and Legends Non-Fiction Biographies Reptiles Geography Careers Basket Ideas!

Make library easily accessible to students* Organize library by using inviting labels and fun colors Create buckets that are labeled “Just for Fun” Create cozy areas that promote comfortable reading spots (part of anchor lessons ) Have a seasonal display that changes periodically Display books on counters or shelves Have a “Class Favorites” tub Have students take ownership of their library~ Implement a checkout system and have rotating librarians, reshelving teams, etc..