Reading Time with Goals in Mind

Think for a moment about the last time you were proud of an accomplishment. When you embarked on that successful endeavor, you probably stated a goal: "I want to run that marathon," or "I'm going to learn to play 'Für Elise' on the piano," or "This weekend we're going to organize the garage so we can finally fit our car inside." Goals increase engagement and productivity. When we have a clear sense of what we want to accomplish, we're more likely to be motivated to succeed (Pink, 2009).

Learning to read is no different. Goals hold students and their teachers accountable. Students will likely be more motivated to read when they have reading goals that are based on accurate assessments, established in consultation with their teachers, and supported over time.

What the Research Says