Just Read! 2011 Reading Challenges

Being a reading role model to the people in my life, whether they be my own nieces and nephews, the students I encounter in my classroom, or the adults learners I interact with through courses and blogging, is an extremely high priority for me.  I'm always looking for new titles to read that I might be able to share with children or teachers.  It's a big job, but so worth the time and effort I put into it.  I can promise you there is no greater high then when I've made a match between a reader and book!  This year I decided to join three different challenges as a means of keeping track of what I'm reading this year, as well as finding new books that I might miss otherwise. 

The first challenge I'm participating in is The Centurions of 2011: 111 Books by December 2012 on Facebook.  Started by Paul Hankins (@PaulWHankins) this group includes readers who have set a goal to read 111 or more books during 2011.  Members post month by month their titles, highlighting at least one pick to total twelve favorites for 2011. Readers can read picture books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, or professional books.  There are also several age specific Discussion tabs you can participate in

I'm also participating in the   Read to Me Picture Book Challenge  over at There's A Book!     The objective of this challenge is to read picture books with the children in your life, or just to enjoy picture books in general.  I have talked about picture books as integral tools in my teaching, how I've used wordless books, and shared my favorite picture books for Kindergarten/1st grade and grades 4/5 over the past year on this blog.  Picture books aren’t just for little kids.   They are powerful and engaging texts that can help students across all grade levels succeed in language arts, math, science, social studies, and the arts. Picture books appeal to students of all readiness levels, interests, and learning styles. What I especially love about this challenge is the emphasis of reading with children!  I'm confident I will reach "Chapter Reader" level by reading  200 pictures books!  However I'm not as confident about being able to write reviews for all 200 so I'm setting my goal at the "Unjacketed" level and hope to blog about 36 of the picture books I read. 

To keep track of these two challenges I joined Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge.  All I have to do is type in the books as I read them, set the date I finished, and Goodreads keeps track of my progress, month by month.  I can then add my Goodreads link to either of the other two challenges and all of my reading is there for anyone to see.  Isn't that great?

Have you set reading goals this year?  Maybe one of these challenges has piqued your interest.  All of these challenges have one thing is common.  They're really not about the number of books you read, but rather that you just read...and share what you're reading with others.  Won't you join me?  If 2010 was any indication, there are some awesome books to be discovered in 2011!  Don't miss out!