[cfraz]

Just wondering how you keep your books organized? I have tons of books and can't seem to keep them together. I am also having a BIG PROBLEM with my kids tearing up my books and big books (ripping pages, not putting them up right so they get bent or put one book inside another). What do I do? I have taught a lesson on how to care for books!

[sevenplus]

I have almost 2000 books. I have them all cataloged on LibraryThing.com. I keep them on shelves (that only I access) organized by category. I just have file folders in between each category with a label.

I put books out for students in tubs and baskets. Each tub has a round label on the front with a corresponding sticker on the back of the book so students know where to put them away. They are organized by category also (holidays, counting, ABC, etc.).

I don't usually let students look at big books independently because the pages tear so easily since they can be difficult to turn.

As for caring for the other books, model, model, model and continue to practice. If students are mistreating them, put them away for a while.

[jazzie01]

I keep my books in those large storage bags, labeled with different themes, etc. As for students being hard on them, unfortunately, in Kindergarten, it is very difficult to keep them from being rough. I agree with the PP who said model, model, model...

[tlk]

I rotate them a lot. i find that too many out at once is too much to choose from. So, for example i have one diplay shelf that shows seasonal/holiday books. then I have about 4 tubs with others. One for alphabet books, one for letter of the week books, one with Dr. seuss , Franklin etc...I find it works well. A constant rotation is worthwhile.