My “reading goal” is to read at least 40 books this year. I’m challenging my students to do that so I should be able to do it as well. It’s going to take a bit of effort, though, since last year I read 28 books, falling two short of the goal I set for my students (but also more books than I have ever read in a school year before). So, essentially, I need to read 12 more books than last year, in the same amount of time. How am I going to do that?

Well, I’ll continue to wake early and read The Heavy Stuff. I’ve been waking up around 5:30 a.m. but I’m going to have to start waking up at least 20 minutes earlier in order to put in a solid 30-40 minutes before getting ready for school. I’ll read during the 25 minutes of time dedicated to reading during Extended Learning Time, and if I can read for another 15-20 minutes before going to sleep (although that’s usually when my eyes begin closing while I’m reading), then that could be up to 70 minutes a day of reading, which would be a sufficient amount.

I want to experience new genres, such as mystery and poetry, and read more fantasy and science fiction. I’d like to discover an author whose work I really like (for me, the next Kate DiCamillo; is there anything she writes that isn’t amazing?), and hopefully through all the classroom and online discussion about books I’ll find what I’m looking for.

Holding me accountable for this goal this year will be Mrs. Donegan.