Dear teacher,
We would like to help you get started with your Ready, Set, Read! lending library as
quickly and easily as possible. Here are some helpful suggestions from teachers who
have successfully used a library in their classrooms.
At your initial parent orientation meeting:
-- introduce the concept of the lending library and stress the importance of reading
together
-- explain to parents that children may continue to borrow books as long as they return
the books they take
-- have the parents sign an agreement that they will be responsible for lost or damaged
books
-- demonstrate how parents can share a book, even if they don't read the language
(concept of author/title; talk about pictures and predict what the story will be about;
develop skills like turning pages).
-- ask parents to attend class for a few minutes each day so that they can practice reading
and sharing with their children. This gives you a chance to encourage shy parents and
address their concerns. It helps to spend at least a few class sessions initially, modeling
for the parents and giving them suggestions on questions that can be asked about
illustrations, the concept of making predictions and making up stories based on the
illustrations.
Setting up a procedure:
-- The great majority of our participants allow the children to take one or two books home
twice a week, on Monday and Thursday, although some teachers prefer once a week for
one night only and some teachers allow children to take books home every night of the
week.
-- Many teachers mark each book with a number and keep a master list of book titles and
numbers. Then, each time a child takes out a book, that number is entered next to the
child's name on a check-out sheet
-- Some teachers have found it helpful to put a card and library pocket in the books; you
or your aide can put the date and child's name on the card and keep it until the book is
returned.
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-- Sonja Ecker of Carthay Center Elementary is one of the users of the "pocket chart"
method: "To keep track of the borrowing I created a chart using library book card
pockets. Each pocket had a child's name on it and the child (with the parent's help)
would take the library card from the book (with its title written on it) and place it in
his/her pocket on the chart."
-- You could also use a simple sign-out system, where parents sign and date a list of all
the books or fill out an index card with their name and the book's title. Letting the
parents help check out the books saves your time and your aide's time.
-- Some teachers separate the books by language, and some label the spine with colored
tape to designate Spanish, English, or bilingual books.
-- Do whatever works best for your classroom, your aide, and your families.
Bookbags
-- The students respond best if they have a backpack or special bookbag in which to
transport the books.
-- Some teachers use zip-lock freezer bags, but many use the existing homework folders
that the children are already familiar with.
-- Parents can help the children decorate their bags to give a special significance to the
lending library.
Should I give assignments or incentives?
-- Many of our teachers assign a brief oral book report and/or a drawing (usually along
the lines of "My Favorite Part.")
-- Many require the parents to participate by writing down what their child says about the
book, or at least making a note of the book's title and author.
-- Stickers are often used as rewards for reading (and returning) books.
Encouraging a variety of reading:
-- You can encourage the children to take out different books by reading from a variety of
books in the classroom.
-- Invite a different child each week to "read" their book to the class.
-- Send a variety of books home: picture books, phonetic readers, nonfiction.
Adding books to the library:
-- Ask your friends and family to donate books that their children have outgrown.
-- Ask former students to donate their old baby books.
-- Many library branches have monthly used books sales where books can be picked up
for .25-.50 cents, possibly cheaper if you let the volunteer know why you’re buying them.
-- By utilizing monthly book clubs, not only can you encourage your families to
inexpensively add to their home libraries but you can acquire extra books by collecting
points on the class purchases.
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Some remarks from teachers who have enjoyed Ready, Set, Read! libraries
Lyne Avignone of Toland Way Elementary describes her method:
I placed a Xerox copy of the cover of the book on a manila envelope. I
placed a library card pocket on the backside of the envelope with a library
card stating the name of the book. The book goes in the envelope and the
envelope goes in a box labeled ENGLISH or ESPANOL. I have a small
box with alphabet tabs for the cards of the checked out books.
To check out a book, the parent or child writes the child's name on the
card and puts it in the little file box behind the first letter of the child's first
name. The child takes the book in the envelope home. When the child
returns the book, he/she finds his card, crosses out his/her name and puts
the card back in the pocket on the envelope and put the book back in the
proper box. The parent, T.A. or teacher assists with the process.
Leslie Ruiz of Toluca Lake Elementary points out the importance of bringing parents in
to practice their skills:
I invited the parents to come in every day for five to ten minutes to read a
book with their child in the class before we began our daily program. The
students chose a book and sat down in a comfortable place with their
parent. At first the parents were hesitant about reading in the room. Some
gave excuses and tried to avoid reading. After their initial reluctance, they
began to feel more comfortable reading aloud to their child. It became an
enjoyable experience for all.
And Molly Bonenfant of Parthenia School reminds us what it's all about:
If you lose your favorite book, go and buy another copy and know that
you brought joy to someone else by sharing your book! Don't make
yourself nuts checking them in and out. You can probably tell from day
one, who is going to lose a book, so realize that books are to be read and
that loss is a possibility. Don't worry about it. Get the children and their
parents reading! Literacy is our goal, not accounting!
The critical objective in sending the books home is to get the children to
want to read with their parents. I am always a little bit "happy" when one
of my favorite books doesn't get returned because it means to me that
someone else loved it as much as I. Yes, I lose a few, but not enough to
be the least bit concerned about. Books wear out from being read and
reread and I can't think of anything better than knowing that my books
have worn out!
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