Lost in the Reading Spaces


Ocean, Lagoon, Relax, Reading, Pause
image from pixabay
When reading we often gravitate towards a comfortable, familiar location where we can best enjoy our favourite books. Reading in school should be no different. In my elementary school library, we have several strong programs designed to encourage reading both in the classroom and at home.  What we don’t do as well (in the library anyways) is have designated, welcoming spaces to host that reading. I am quick to write off these fun spaces as frivolous and largely unnecessary to reading culture. What else could a kid need to internalize a motivation for reading but an interesting level appropriate book anyway? For this post I am tossing aside my former attitude surrounding décor in educational settings and instead diving into the many inspiring classrooms and educational spaces that have themed and decorated reading nooks and crannies to help foster a culture of reading.


This boat may be the best thing ever.
Image found at Buzzfeed



This Buzzfeed article lists a number of creative reading spaces, including an ‘under the sea’ swimming pool, an ACTUAL pirate boat, as well as upcycled cardboard houses and chairs from old tires. These unique spaces offer students an exciting place to read as part of a group or individually. These types of elaborate reading areas can excite all students to get reading, as their availability for use is exclusively for the enjoyment of reading however and whatever the student chooses. These spaces can hold audio supports for students who like to listen to the story they chose, as well as host partner or group reading.  




image found at Twitter




Another inspiring idea a teacher in my district recently tweeted about are book boats! These seem to be a fairly inexpensive and easy enough to assemble project. These ‘boats’ are a unique space that will entice all students to jump in with a book and read. When the novelty wears off, they can be adapted, painted, or re purposed for something else that once again makes kids want to be a part of the fun of reading. 







Finally, Pintrest has a seemingly unending (and somewhat overwhelming!) page of similar inspirational reading areas. Going forward, I am excited to re-examine the physical space of my school library and create some cozy corners and themed areas in which to encourage reading. 


References:

Images from: https://pixabay.com/

1 Awesomely Creative Reading Spaces For The Classroom." BuzzFeed Community. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Oct. 2017. https://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/21-creative-and-clever-reading-spaces-for-the-clas-h0xt?utm_term=.md6K6M0y3#.mvBPeaG8D

Book Boats https://twitter.com/ExLibrisMrHunt/status/914635438685425664

https://www.pinterest.ca/search/pins/?rs=ac&len=2&q=reading%20corner%20kids%20classroom&eq=reading%20corner%20kids&etslf=2497&term_meta[]=reading%7Cautocomplete%7Cundefined&term_meta[]=corner%7Cautocomplete%7Cundefined&term_meta[]=kids%7Cautocomplete%7Cundefined&term_meta[]=classroom%7Cautocomplete%7Cundefined




Comments

  1. Unknown7 October 2017 at 10:28

    I love the book boats and was surprised by how many good ideas there were on buzzfeed. Usually I find buzzfeed is pretty empty clickbait. Do you have any specific idea that you want to do in your library?

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    Replies
    1. Unknown15 October 2017 at 10:59

      Thanks for asking! I do have some specific ideas, like re-purposing an old built in computer desk that is now largely unused due to laptop carts. Alas, as I am not actually in my library this year I am stocking up on inspiration and will look at my space more closely when I return :)

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  2. CT Guy8 October 2017 at 09:07

    Having a comfortable space for reading is a battle I face in the elementary library as well. These are some good ideas to foster additional concepts about the physical space of the library. It also seems any interesting furniture I find is way overpriced for school budgets. So these less expensive alternatives you found seem like the way to go for a librarian looking to make the space a bit more magical and fun for young people.

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  3. Unknown8 October 2017 at 21:03

    I love the book boats. I can see why students would love to just jump in and crack open a book to read, especially since the lid offers an immediate desk top to place the book on. I teach in a high school so our librarian has nice comfy couches and has just recently purchased some bean bag chairs that she has dispersed in the isles of books. The students seem to enjoy using them as they are comfortable and portable.

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  4. Aaron Mueller10 October 2017 at 06:35

    Some good discussion prompts on your post that got your small group all fired up to comment. The innovative use of space to build comfortable and engaging reading spots and boats is a great idea and can go a long way to getting that reluctant reader to sit for a bit and just read. Some good links, and images in your post. Some more media, some 'labels' to help categorize and sort your blog posts for easy retrieval later would be an improvement.

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