If possible, narrow down your search to containers that have lids. A lid will keep your books from spilling out everywhere if the bin happens to get knocked over. Measure the height and width of your big books before you start shopping around for containers so you’ll have an idea of what size you need. Label the containers by genre or put a picture of the type of book that goes in each bin so that you can keep them organized and accessible for the kids.
Rectangular baskets will provide a better fit for your books than round ones. As an added bonus, the built-in handles on laundry baskets make it easier to tote your collection of big books around with you. Try tying a tag to the laundry basket and using that to label the basket’s contents.
Look for boxes with dividers so can sort your books while you pick them up. Label each divider.
Divide your big books up by subject or theme and designate a bag for each group to help keep them sensibly organized. Consider hanging your storage bags on a rolling garment rack so you can easily move them from place to place.
You can usually find big book display stands on sale for $100-150 at stores that carry classroom supplies. Display stands are one of the neater storage options you have available, and won’t look as out of place as an old laundry hamper or row of plastic bins.
Keep an eye out for bookcases you think would be the right fit for your big books, or consider having a custom bookshelf to your exact specifications. Include a few extra inches of clearance at the top of the shelf to make it easier for your students to select and put back the books they read.
You can use wall-mounted shelves in conjunction with other storage solutions, or cram all of your books in them if you’d prefer to maximize your floor space.
There are also smaller single-title stands available, which can be useful for holding books you don’t have room for in your other containers, or putting the book-of-the-week on display atop a table, desk, or shelf. The majority of magazine-style racks can only accommodate materials no larger than a standard piece of printer paper (8. 5 inches (22 cm)x11 inches (28 cm), which means they may not be an ideal choice for the biggest of your big books.
Coming up with a simple number or color system for each container will help you keep track of which books are currently out. Letting your students freely check out books (within the classroom) will also teach them to be responsible with other people’s belongings.
An added bonus of using an easel to store your big books is that you can draw pictures or write down vocabulary words and other important ideas, enabling you to teach as you read.
It may be necessary to create a couple separate stacks, depending on the number of books you have.
If you use any other organizational aids, such as numbers or colored stickers, don’t forget to explain to your class how they work. Assign the task of gathering and organizing your big books to one or two of your students as part of your classroom cleanup at the end of the day. [9] X Research source
