The Big Fresh January 6, 2018 How’s Your Stamina?

Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.

                                                                                   Elbert Hubbard

My students were settled into their independent reading, I grabbed my conferring journal and clipboard and saw that Grace was first on my list for the day.  I looked over and saw her wedged between two bookcases, reading quietly.  I settled in next to her and was about to ask what she wanted to read to me when she softly asked, “How’s your stamina?”

Not sure I had heard her soft-spoken voice correctly, I asked, “What’s that, honey?”

“How’s your stamina?” she repeated just as softly as before.

Confused, I searched my brain, wondering why she was asking me this. In a split second I remembered my minilesson from the prior week about goal setting and spending time to really think and reflect on what we needed to work on in our reading. I had shared the story of reading Commonwealth by Ann Patchett during our last snow day and how I struggled with focus.  I found that while I was lying on the couch reading, I got up multiple times to check my phone for incoming messages or my laptop for emails and news. I shared how I stood up to get a drink, go to the bathroom, and check on my kids.

I explained that I had a hard time getting “sucked into” my book and realized that my stamina, even as an adult reader, needed fixing up. I told the class that I was setting a goal for myself to improve my stamina, to set aside time to read uninterrupted and slowly extend the minutes that I spent reading. I gave students time to talk about areas they would like to improve and sent them off to read.

I was surprised that Grace asked about my stamina, and that she remembered and thought about my goal setting. Reading conferences were supposed to be me doing the coaching, not the other way around. But her question made me pause, reflect, and share honestly that my stamina wasn’t much better, that I really hadn’t put much time or effort toward it. I wasn’t embarrassed to share this, and I actually appreciated the time to reflect. I made a plan right there with her that I would continue to work toward this goal, especially on the weekend when I had more time to sit and read for long periods of time.

At our reading reflection circle that day I shared Grace’s question, as well as my appreciation that she remembered my goal and that I still needed to work on it. Having a buddy to check in with kept me focused on my goal. I asked the class how they were feeling about their own goals. Very few of them shared anything, and some looked at me a bit confused.

The next day I started our lesson with time to reflect on their goals:  how it was going, how they felt about their goals, and their plan to move forward. I asked them to record their goals on a paper that I created and share them with their reading partner. We agreed to check in with ourselves, and our partners, with a written reflection each week.

I finished reading Commonwealth (and loved every page) the following week but know that I need to continue to rebuild my reading focus and limit distractions.  My experience with Grace reminded me that having a buddy check-in helps keep me focused on my goal and gives me time to honestly reflect. I was also reminded that when I share my reading life with my students, they do listen and wait to find out how it turns out.  And they are ready to coach me when I need it.

This week we look at goals and fresh starts in the new year. Plus more as always — enjoy!

Bitsy Parks

Contributor, Choice Literacy

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Tara Barnett and Kate Mills detail their process of helping students set weekly goals and then reflect on their progress every Friday:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=2700

Matt Renwick shares the questions and strategies he uses for promoting reflection and goal setting with teachers:

http://leadliteracy.com/articles/541

Melanie Meehan presents some of her favorite strategies for goal setting:

http://twowritingteachers.org/2017/02/09/setting-goals-with-students/

Pernille Ripp reflects upon what makes goals authentic and meaningful for her seventh-grade students:

http://buff.ly/2lieFdX

This whimsical poem on goals by David Budbill would be a great opener or closing for a PD session on goals:

http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2017/10/poetry-friday-three-goals.html