How to Diversify Your Classroom Library on a Budget
5 easy tips to diversify your classroom library without breaking the bank!
After the events of last week, I was determined to turn what I had seen, heard and learned into action. So, I decided to take two small steps: 1. Update my Long Range plans to include more diverse read-alouds, and 2. Include more culturally diverse books in my physical classroom library.
I found an amazing list of diverse French books on the 123 Petit Pas blog, which you can find here. After adding all of the recommended books to my Amazon cart, I was shocked to find that they totalled over $300.
Womp, rewind.
While it’s super important for me to add culturally diverse books to my classroom library, it’s also important for me to do it in a way that is sustainable. I want this to be an ongoing, long-term commitment; not a one-time shot. So, I came up with 5 ways to diversify your classroom library - on a budget!
Parents often want to know how they can contribute to your classroom. A great way for them to do this is to purchase books from an Amazon Wishlist that you’ve created. Not sure how to do this? It’s easy! Follow the steps below:
1. Sign into your Amazon account and search “Wish List” in the search bar.
2. Click on “Wish Lists”, then on “Create a List”.
3. Name your list (e.g. “Classroom Wishlist”) and then set it to Public.
4. When you find a book that you would like to add to your wish list, click on the drop-down menu under purchasing options and click “Add to Wishlist.”
5. To share your Wish List, click on “Send list to others” and select “Invite someone to view only”. Then you can share the link with families in your class!
Not sure how to share the link? Consider these ideas:
Post the link to your classroom website
Send home a letter at the beginning of the year
Request a book from the Wishlist in lieu of a traditional “teacher gift” at Christmas or the end of the year
2. Scholastic Bonus Bank/Wish List
Although the traditional Scholastic Reading Clubs are currently on hold due to school closures (June 2020), I urge you to keep this option in mind for the future. Every time your students place an order through Scholastic, you earn Bonus Bucks that you can use on your own classroom library books! You can also set up a Wish List on your teacher dashboard. Parents can see this Wish List and purchase books for their child’s classroom.
In the meantime, consider checking out the Scholastic Website. They have books at discounted prices for Canadian teachers, including a whole section on Culturally Diverse Books. You’re welcome!
3. Your Local Library
Our local library system is slowly opening back up and I am so. excited. I am a total library nerd, and use its resources ALL the time. Borrowing books from the library helps me to have a more expansive list of read-alouds for my class, at no cost to me.
After finding 123 Petit Pas’ list of diverse books in French, I searched for all of them in my library system. Unfortunately, they only had a few. Thankfully, our library system has the option to request that books be purchased. I happily requested the purchase of over 15 culturally diverse books in French, and am (im)patiently waiting to see if they will be purchased. I encourage you to do some research and see if the same option is available in your own local library system!
4. Thrift Stores
Thrifting is one of the MAIN things that I am missing during COVID-19 closures. Although finding the exact book that you want is nearly impossible, thrifting allows you another pleasure - finding gems that you didn’t know you wanted or needed! The bulk of my classroom library is made up of books that I thrifted at a fraction of the cost of new books. When thrift stores open back up, I highly encourage you to check some out. You’d be amazed at what you might find - and at an amazing price!
5. Rewards Programs
When Lunchables still had their rewards code program, I spent hours - and I mean HOURS - inputting codes to have enough to purchase Chatpers gift cards for buying classroom books. I even recruited co-op students and my own mother to help me, it was so time-consuming. But, it was worth it for new (FREE!) books.
Now, a program that exists is the Pampers Rewards Program. You can use codes from diapers and wipes to purchase Amazon gift cards.
Don’t buy wipes and diapers? I guarantee you that you have families in your class that do, and that don’t bother using the codes themselves (or that would be willing to donate them to their child’s class)! Try it out!
Do you know of any other free rewards programs or ways to earn free books for your classroom?
If yes, I would LOVE to hear about them!