58 made it. 58 finished in the 72-hour window that I presented. They chose to read Night. No carrot. No stick. Just a challenge to read one of the most important books of our time, of any time. And those who didn’t quite make it will likely have finished it over the weekend. Because they chose to.

Importantly, I seek commitment, not compliance. I want my kids’ “do’s” to be real (see The Dilemma of Do). They either read it or they didn’t. Will, then, there be some who didn’t? Yep. They missed an opportunity to explore and to–try to–understand the human experience through the lens of Elie’s memoir.

Today, I will seek more commitment. They will engage in a three-day project to create and present a “storyboard” of Elie’s work with their peers. That’s their accountability–their accountability to one another. Further, individually, I will have them write and publish a personal impact statement from their reading of Night.

“As a human, Elie’s story matters to me because…

I will remember.”

In the end, regardless the text, regardless the experience, I just want them to grow. Academically. Socially. Emotionally. Personally. But I cannot force that. I only provide opportunity and support. So, I do. The rest is up to them.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns.

…consider and write our impact statements.

…begin our Storyboard Project.

…reflect in our Journey Journals.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Monday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.