Rain Gutter Bookshelves {A Bright Idea}


 Many years ago, I saw these amazing bookshelves made from rain gutters.  I always wanted them in my classroom.  They are PERFECT for that small space under your board that is usually pretty "unusable."  But, I had a different idea...

My students are always wanting to take AR tests on books that I read aloud.  I've always had a great system for books that they read independently, but for read-alouds....not so much.  They never knew how to spell the titles and once one student grabbed the book to test on it, it would be misplaced and other students couldn't find it.

Problem solved!  I had my husband make me two 3 ft. rain gutter bookshelves to go right above our laptop station so that I could place books read aloud in them.  Now, the books are there for all students to see and test on!

It also makes for a great "showcase spot" for themed books, such as an author study.

Here's how I...okay, hubs...made them.  

We bought a 10 foot rain gutter from Lowe's.  We cut it into 3 ft sections.  We chose to spray paint it red to match my room.  We used two endcaps for each gutter and 3 braces.  On the back of each brace, we added velcro.  Heavy duty velcro.  Seriously...the sturdiest velcro you can find.  I found mine in the section with the Command Hooks (industrial strength is best)!  That's it! {Here's the actual link to the tutorial we found on Pinterest and used.}

We put the velcro on the three braces...
and attached it to the wall.  Easy peasy!  One thing that I really love is that it is removable, so if I really need that wall space for something, the shelves can pop right off. 
And then back on! :)
So practical, so easy, so versatile!  How could you see yourself using these in your classroom?

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14 comments

  1. Love love love this idea!! I always ended up using the whiteboard shelf to stack books we had read aloud in class and then it ended up taking up too much space, or they'd fall down... it was a mess. This is such a great solution and makes use of the ugly cinder blocks in my room! I may even use this for my daughter's room at home :) Thanks so much for sharing!

    ~Stephanie
    3rd Grade Thoughts

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  2. I was wondering how people hung up those rain gutters on cinder block walls. My sister-in-law made some for my nephew's room and I've wanted some in my classroom. Never thought about using Velcro. So smart Amanda!

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  3. I love this idea!! Using velcro is genius! :)

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  4. After I saw your pic on IG, I wondered how you attached them. Brilliant idea indeed :)
    Tania
    My Second Sense

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  5. Such a fabulous idea, Amanda! I've always wanted these in my classroom but could never commit because they seemed so permanent! I would never have thought to use industrial Velcro! I LOVE it! thank you for sharing this great idea!
    Linda
    AroundtheKampfire

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  6. What a cute idea! I may need to do this for my own kiddos at home!
    Stacey
    Teaching Ever After

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  7. Amanda, Once again you come with fab ideas! Love this! I especially love how you made it your own and use it for the read alouds and AR. So smart!
    xoxo,
    Vicky
    Teaching and Much Moore

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  8. I totally have these in my classroom too! I love being able to showcase my book's covers to my kiddos! ☮Monica
    The Schroeder Page

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  9. Another fabulous idea, Amanda! I love how you painted them red to match your beautiful room :)

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

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  10. SO smart! I love this idea Amanda! I love how you painted them too.

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  11. I love these!! I may have to make some for my new room next year! :)

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  12. Oh! What a wonderful idea! Putting it on the hubs "must-do" list!! Thanks for sharing!

    -Cassie
    Funky in Fourth

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  13. I am going to do this! Got the gutter at Home Depot today. I should have done this years ago. Thank you for the tutorial--I never thought of using velcro, but that will work perfectly on my carpeted classroom walls :)

    Carmen
    bookandbliss

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  14. These are great! I didn't realize they were so easy to install (especially if the husband helps!).

    Sara :)
    The Colorful Apple

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