Are you ready to level your classroom library? Over the years, I've organized my library by genres, then by Accelerated Reading (AR) level, then AR level within genres and then nothing at all! I love an organized library because it made it easy for my students to find the books they wanted to read. Now, our library is organized by lexile. Let's level your classroom library too!

Are misplaced library books making you crazy? Organize and level your Classroom Library so that your students can put the books back in the right spot!

Organized by Genre

With the new school year, I organized my books by genres. I even made genre labels to stick on my Dollar Tree baskets. But I kept finding books that were NOT in the right spot. Please tell me I'm not the only one this happens to! Am I shocked? Not at all! They're kids, it happens. Plus, sometimes, I don't know if the book should go in the realistic fiction basket or the funny stories one. If I struggle as an adult finding the best place, I'm sure my kids do too.

Organized by lexile

With lexiles being everywhere with Common Core, I decided to level my library by lexile levels. Plus, my school is BIG on lexiles. Sure, it may limit some of my kiddos, but I know they will be reading books at their level. And as you know, groups and levels are flexible so my little guys won't stay put for long.

*I also have tubs of books at each table group with unlabeled books so my students have more choice to read by interest. Yes, I think kids should read what they want, BUT, they need to able to read independently as well.

I'll monitor their progress in guided reading groups
I'll check their AR quizzes each week to make sure that they are successful at their independent reading level
I'll use Enterprise Reading (same company as AR) to monitor

Steps to Lexile Organization

It's time to get organized so here's what you need to do to level your library as well! Snag this lexile level list and add some stickers to it so you can color code your books. I printed mine on fun scrapbook paper.

1. Supplies

If I were to do it again, I'd make sure I had enough of those round stickers! Don't make the mistake of getting the clear colored labels like I did because they didn't show up well on the books. Choose a color for each level. I thought about using cute washi tape but I don't want to risk the pattern not being around in a couple of years so I stuck to stickers. You'll also need a device or computer.

2. Enlist help

If you have parent help, take advantage because this is a big task that took a few weeks.

3. Use book leveling apps

I took each basket from my library and scanned the bar code on the back of the books using Scholastic Book Wizard {free} mobile as well as the Level It {$3.99} mobile app. I'd start with the Scholastic app and go through your books. If there isn't a level, place them in a pile and save them for the Level It app, to save time.After it gave me the level, I'd add a sticker that matched the level and placed it on front of the book. Be warned, the apps won't have the levels for some of the books so place the books in a pile and save them for later.

4. Books without a level

So now about those books that you couldn't find a level for with either app. You can try to input it manually or try and do a search on the Scholastic website. I told you it would take some time!!! Once all my books were back in the library, I noticed that I needed more lower-level books. So…I used my Scholastic points and ordered books by lexile level. That way, I KNEW I was getting the books we needed AND I also knew they had a lexile level.

5. Setting up your library

I made library level cards to place on the baskets, added the sticker that matched the lexile list, and laminated them. I placed the books inside and that was that! Why didn't I color code sooner, it has made putting books back so much easier?

6. Get your kids excited

Now that your books are in the right spot, it's time to get the kiddos in on the action. Once our new books arrived from Scholastic, I laid them out during independent reading time and let the kiddos choose books they wanted to read. It really built excitement about reading!!! They were beyond excited about all of the new books and couldn't wait to check out our new library the following day.

Our school had extra school ID cards so I placed the sticker of the each child's level on the back of the sticker. That way, it's private for my little friends. As my friends become better readers, I'll just add a new sticker next to it to show their progress.

I thought about giving each kiddo their card to keep in a safe place, but decided to keep all of the cards in a plain old pencil box that stays in the library. I included individual student cards in this pack in case you don't have any just laying around.

We've been using this new system and the kiddos are so happy. I feel like I'm giving them more of a chance to read appropriate books and can't wait to see their progress! The parents are also happy because they know their child's reading level with the parent letter that I sent home. As students move through levels, I'll be sure to keep families

updated!

I hope this post and resource will help you as you level your library. I can't wait to hear how it goes.

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Comments

Mrs. Brown says

December 2, 2014 at 10:54 am

Oh goodness, I have tried so many different things and ways! I have been using the Fountas & Pinnell leveling site. I just wish it was easier to find levels for books and they were consistent!

Thanks! kellybrown28021@gmail.com

Cherie says

December 5, 2014 at 5:12 am

Adorable and handy! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/316096467570807713/

cheriemae@gmail.com
Fluttering through the Seasons

Cecilia says

December 5, 2014 at 5:14 am

https://twitter.com/CeciliaPortugal/status/540735528417492993
I tweeted about your giveaway. Cecilia

Ms.Hamm says

December 5, 2014 at 5:20 am

I've been wanting to tackle my books for years, but have never really thought about where I wanted to start. Thanks so much for sharing how you tackle this task.

I shared on Pinterest, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/270919733809901624/

Thanks!
~Lynda
mshamm1stgrade@gmail.com

Brooke Dunaway says

December 5, 2014 at 5:21 am

My mentor teacher and I were talking about doing this today!! This would help me out SO much!!!
Thanks for all you do! Love it all!!
https://www.facebook.com/brooke.dunaway.3/posts/10152942018967953

Mary Love Strange says

December 5, 2014 at 8:53 am

I have been putting off leveling my library. This would help me stop procrastinating and get my library in order. Thanks for the opportunity and for sharing your ideas!

https://twitter.com/JoelStrange/status/540790425724796928

mhouston@ufl.edu

Kasey Branham says

December 5, 2014 at 10:53 am

The majority of my school organizes my genre. I'm one of the few that uses Lexile as an organization method but I love it! I've given every student a card with their Lexile level and they know how to find the book on their level

Shara says

December 5, 2014 at 10:20 pm

This is amazing! I would love to organize my library just like this! I shared through Facebook and pinterest

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/287667494924446490/

Thanks for such an amazing tool! sstewart625@gmail.com

Stacie says

December 6, 2014 at 4:44 am

I am so happy to see this. I didn't know about the leveling app! we use AR to sort out boos and they switched to Lexile levels without warning so now I need to dele do my library. Your system work be a great help!
Thanks!
Stacr272@gmail.com
Makingoverthirdgrade.blogspot.com

Shara says

December 15, 2014 at 12:23 am

I am so excited to use this!! I am waiting until break so I've got time. Did anyone win? ?

How do you level your classroom library?