Put an End to Chronic Book Browsing

Minds in Bloom is thrilled to welcome Stephanie to the blog today. Please enjoy her post about helping kids find books they like in order to put an end to chronic book browsing!

Every teacher has at least one student who participates in chronic book browsing--always looking but never reading! Here is an idea to end that cycle.

As we all know, every precious minute counts in the classroom! This is why I knew I needed to find a way to put an end to the professional book browsing that was getting in the way of real reading during reading workshop. You’ve seen it before, right? Those kids that have made “pretend reading” an art form and who can be on the hunt for the perfect book for just about the entire time devoted to independent reading during workshop? I was bound and determined to find a solution to this daily problem!

I decided to create student book racks out of a couple revolving racks I had in my classroom library. I was lucky enough to find one of these racks at the local library used furniture sale one year, and the other one I was able to snag from the teacher’s lounge, as it wasn’t really being used. I am always on the look out for more book racks like these at garage sales or consignment shops when I hit them over the summer. Each student has a designated spot on the rack to keep the books that they plan to read next.

My favorite part of this book rack is the sign my father-in-law helped me to make a couple of summers ago showing all the places some of my favorite books have taken me!

The rule is that you are supposed to have at least two books that you want to read in the future on your book rack at all times. When students finish a book during reading workshop, the first thing they do is sign up for a book conference with me…

…so they can get credit for their book for the 40 Book Challenge. Then students go grab one of the books off their book rack and get right back to reading! The kids know that they need to fill that spot on their book rack as soon as they get a chance, but not during reading workshop time! My students learn to grab browsing time when they need it throughout the day. They can look for books during the morning warm up, at bathroom break, right before or after lunch, and at the end of the day. I also ended up with a 15-minute spot one day a week this year right after they get back from specials but right before lunch, and they know they can always look for books during that time.

I know some teachers have used book boxes for a similar purpose, but those take up a lot of space. The book racks hold a ton of books and don’t take up very much room. Plus, they are a bright and colorful addition to our classroom library!

If you would like to create your own book conference sign-up board, then you can find my Free Editable Book Conference Board in my TPT store!

I started my career teaching fifth graders, and here I am 25 years later still at it! I knew right away that I had lucked out and been hired to teach the perfect age. Fifth graders are still young enough to love their teacher and want to please you, and they are old enough to give you some peace and quiet when you need it! I said long ago that I would retire as that teacher who taught fifth grade forever. I am currently teaching reading and writing along with another of my favorite things: early American history in Social Studies. Now that my own two kids are all grown up, I get to spend more time doing something I truly enjoy: creating classroom materials and always with my sweet Labradoodle, Emmitt, laying at my feet!

You can find me at:

Minds in Bloom