You might have seen my pile of books on our Instagram. I just bought some more books for my take-home reading books library. These books were $50 for 50 from Scholastic (they do this promotion every few months and sometimes they have 25 books for $25 when you order from Book Orders)! That is such a great deal! The books are perfect for my take-home reading library (they come in grade-level variations). I bought two Kinder-2nd boxes and one grade 3-4 box. I've also purchased books from the local thrift store and yard sales! A book is a book, people!
And then I stick them all with a label of my name on the inside and an apple on the outside. I'll write the level on the apple.
Ahhh... leveling.... good times. NOT. Many of the books are leveled on Book Wizard, but some are not. When they are not leveled on there, I must level them myself. This takes practice (and trial and error), but I just get a book from each level out of my library and I compare it with the book I'm leveling. Clear as mud? So back to Book Wizard... search the book (they have an App, but it sucks- plain and simple! So use the online version) and PRAY that it's in the system. This is something a parent volunteer or husband or child could do for you! If the book/reading level is in the system it is ready for your library all leveled and wonderful. If it's not, feel free to yell curse words at your computer (after school, of course).
Right now, this is my "book shopping" shelf that my students use during Daily 5 because we have our own grade-level take-home reading library. But before we had that luxury, I used these books as my take-home readers.
I'm in search of new bins to hold my books. I'm not a fan of the shoe boxes anymore. Any recommendations?
I keep track of what book each student gets on a log. That way they don't get a book more than once. It takes honestly 20 seconds to switch out a student's book.
My students and parents LOVE that I send home take-home reading books. In this pack, I explain EVERYTHING you need to know about how to set up a take-home reading system in your classroom!
This pack gives you everything you need to learn how to set up a take-home reading system in your class! Just add books!
Included in this pack:
- Folder Front Covers (5 options and customizable)
- Reading at Home Folder Back Cover Letter (4 options)
- Parent Reading Log Form
- Teacher Reading Log Form
- We Need Your Books Back (letter)
- Pictures of folders and examples
- Tips and Tricks
- How to Build up Take-Home Library