Library Vocational Task: Sorting and Shelving Books

Sorting and shelving library books is a task that can be difficult for students. This is especially true once you get to having to alphabetize by the second letter or look at decimals.. This is an easy to use and adapt resource for working on this skill for students in Middle or High School Life Skills programs. This activity includes sorting by color, sorting fiction/nonfiction, and putting call numbers and letters in order. These can be placed in a bin(s), binders, or used as cut and paste worksheets.​

​

To use, print all materials on card stock. Pages 50-57  are sorting mats. Print and laminate. All book cards can be printed and laminated for sorting activity. Students practice sorting by color. There are 6 colors total. This can be reduced to two colors, if needed. ​

For single shelf worksheets: Cut 1st 2 sheets for each color in half along dotted line. Cut out bottom two "books". Laminate all pieces. Place hook and loop tape on question marks (soft side), and the stiff/hook side on the back of the two "books" to be shelved. ​

For the double shelf sheets with question marks:  Laminate, then place soft side of hook and loop tape on question marks. Cut out books on following page, laminate, place stiff/hook side of hook and loop tape  on "books" ​

For blank shelves pages, print and laminate shelves pages. Cut and laminate books. Place soft side of hook and loop tape on top of shelves, and hook side on "books". Have student sort same color items onto shelves in ABC order. When students work up readiness skills,, combine several colors and have students both sort and "shelve" books. There is an answer key for each blank shelf, which can also  be used as a matching activity for kids who need it. ​

​

Pages 37-49  incorporate numbers with decimals to the tenths place. Laminate shelf pages. Cut and laminate "books". Place soft side of hook and loop tape on question marks, and hook side on back of "books." Students can then shelve books in numerical order.​

​

On Pages 58 and 59, you will find a page with the alphabet and numbers 0-9. These can be used as a visual guide or be cut up and used as books for students who need to start with single letters and numbers.  There are also blank squares for each color that you can print and write on to adapt further.

​

To use as task/ work box activities, print as is. To use as a binder activities, make sure that you select fit to page before printing.

Like this activity? Check out the rest of my store. To find out about new products, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and/or Instagram!