Setting Reading Goals That Work

Create specific, realistic reading goals that build habits and stretch your reading.

A good reading goal is specific, measurable, and realistic, and it's about more than numbers. 'Read more' is vague. 'Read for 20 minutes before bed on school nights' is specific and measurable. Goals can focus on time, variety, challenge, or depth. Time goal: 'Read at least two hours a week. ' Variety goal: 'Read one book from a genre I've never tried each month. ' Challenge goal: 'Finish one classic this semester. ' Depth goal: 'Write a short reflection after every book.

' Avoid goals that make reading feel like a race, such as racing through easy books just to raise a count. Here's an example plan from a seventh grader: 'This fall I'll read 20 minutes every night, finish two nonfiction books about space, and try one novel in verse. ' At the end of each month, check your progress. If a goal is too easy or too hard, adjust it. Goals should keep reading enjoyable while gently pushing you.

• 1Make goals specific, measurable, and realistic
• 2Goals can target time, variety, challenge, or depth
• 3Check progress monthly and adjust