Book "Shelfies"

Today I am going to share a nice back to school project that I have done with my students the past two years that gets them thinking of our classroom as a safe space to share about books.  The students take book "shelfies", which is basically a selfie taken with a book in hand.  I am not sure what took me so long to write about this, but I figure even two years later is better than not writing at all ;)   So here we go.

Back to school idea to share a "shelfie" (book selfie)During the first week of school, I begin to emphasize just how much children's literature means to me.  I share my favorites with the kids, previewing books I *know* we will read and ones I hope to read.  I also share other books that have meant something special to me or have moved me in any way.  I bring these conversations up as naturally as possible, but most definitely during our read aloud time at the end of each day (this is sacred time in my class.   There is not a day that goes by that I don't make some time, any time, to read aloud to the kids.)   

During this time I also ask the kids to share their favorite books with me.  We engage in discussions throughout the week, and then I ask the kids to come to school the next day with the book in hand just to show me and talk to me about it it.  When they have their favorite books, the kids use my phone (or chromebook or whatever) to take a selfie with the book in it.  I gave them this template so that they could then import the picture to look like it is inside of a phone or iPad.  (if the template isn't opening for you, try using your personal drive, not your school drive.  Sometimes school drives block downloading)

Using "Shelfies" to show our favorite books and discuss our likes and dislikes as readers.

After the selfie is done, the students write a paragraph detailing themselves as readers.  Do they enjoy reading?  Why or why not?  What types of books peak their interest?  What genres would they like to explore?  What books do they not tend to pick up in the library?  I want them to write about themselves as a whole, not just one specific book.

Then, I display all of this on the board so that all can see the books that were brought in as well as get  to know their fellow readers.  More than one student has been turned onto a new book because of the shelfie that they noticed on the board!

Have you done something like this before?  Please share below!

19 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing a great activity. The iPad template doesn't seem to work, though. It opens up blank. :/ I will definitely try this out at the beginning of the year.

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  2. Thanks so much for this great idea! I can't wait to do this with my new students this fall!

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  3. I love this idea but can't get the template to open either. Can you help? Thanks for sharing this.

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  4. Oops! Got it! :-) Thanks again.

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  5. Thanks for sharing! What a great way to share a buzz about favorite books and embrace a reading life!

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  6. I would love to do this idea. Why can't I get the template?

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    1. It should take you to a screen that asks, "Would you like to make a copy of this template?" The permissions on the doc are set that way. Try using a different browser and make sure your drive allows you to download from other drives (sometimes school drives don't allow that.)

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  7. I love this idea as well, but can't access template. Any help?

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  8. Oh this is an awesome idea, instead of the usual book report. I'm curious what your note on the bulletin board says (I can't read it clearly). I'm assuming it something as cute and clever as your title ��
    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I'm also wondering about what your note on the bulletin board says. Hoping to hear back. Sweet idea - I'll try it with my grade 2s this fall :)

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    2. It just says "How do you see yourself as a reader?" :)

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  9. Hello I love the idea. I cannot get the template link to open. Can you email it to me? Mtalsma@nsacd.com

    Thank you! This is a great display!

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  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Cute way to personalize and boost self-esteem, besides emphasizing being readers for life!

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  11. I love this book because it is very interesting and wonderful! This book you would want to read over and over again! If you like sad but happy books then this ...

    goldenslot
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  12. Hi Teaching in Room 6 Team,

    My name is Anuj Agarwal. I'm Founder of Feedspot.

    I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog Teaching in Room 6 has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 50 Fourth Grade Teacher Blogs on the web.

    http://blog.feedspot.com/fourth_grade_teacher_blogs/

    I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 50 Fourth Grade Teacher Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!

    Also, you have the honor of displaying the badge on your blog.


    Best,
    Anuj

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  13. I love this idea!! We're working on the upload. How did you get the corners of the pictures rounded?? :)

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