Last night's discovery (Plate Rack Book Case) started me thinking about the reading, literacy, and children's literature classes I have taught over the course of the past ten years (Yep, this is my tenth year teaching undergraduates and graduates!). Every semester I share with my students the importance of displaying books for children so that the covers are visible. Children (and adults) judge books by their covers.
So just how does a teacher (new or seasoned) display their classroom collection in a manner that is pleasing to children and young adults without breaking the bank or taking up valuable floor space? Put your mind in the gutter. The rain gutter that is!
Making a rain gutter bookshelf is a fairly inexpensive (financially and timewise) endeavor. I just checked Lowe's and a 10 ft run of gutter is $6.96 and end caps are $1.36 each. Two 5 ft sections will cost you less than $15.00. Bargain! This idea has been around for several decades (This spring marks my 20th reunion from undergraduate school!) yet I have only seen them used in a scant few classrooms. However a recent Google search for images revealed several incredible links. Seems lots of moms and dads and folks who are homeschooling are using this idea!
(Photo via Trelease On Reading)Whether your a mom, a teacher, a dad, a paraprofessional, a principal, or a favored grandpa consider using rain gutters to display books for the children you love and care for.
Home Stores A 2 Z has a delightful description of using guttering around the top of beadboard in their son's bedroom. Amazing!
Mama Notes blogs her experiences using rain guttering in her son's room. Great pictures.
Raising Olives has a great step-by-step tutorial with lots of pictures (a plus for me!) for building these handy bookcases!
Another how-two can be found at Disney's Family Fun website.
For teachers (usually early childhood) with lots of bookcases and cubbies, this teacher's husband added rain gutter bookshelves to the pegboard on the backs of these standard furniture pieces.
For teachers wanting a rationale (A way to explain to your principal just why you want to screw gutters to the wall on the INside of the classroom!) Jim Trelease hosts a great article written by a principal and kindergarten teacher, The Rain Gutter Literacy Revolution. Additionally Trelease shares excerpts from his Read-Aloud Handbook on changing the print climate in our homes, classrooms, and libraries (Trealease, 2001, Chapter 7).
What do you think? Have you tried this at home, church, or school? Send me a picture. Let me know if this has worked for you. Have fun and keep reading!
Trelease, J. (2006). The Read-Aloud Handbook, 6th ed., New York, Penguin Books
