This school year, sophomore teachers at Hillsborough High School have banded together to incorporate 10 minutes of independent reading time at the beginning of each English class. Their goal is to encourage students to read without pressure, creating an atmosphere where they can engage with books purely for enjoyment.
Mrs. Nicole Rokoszak said she is thrilled about the new direction. “I love incorporating independent reading into my English classes because it lets students choose what they read,” she said. “Even students who think they don’t like reading can find a book they enjoy.”
With the new cell phone policy that requires students to keep phones put away during class, there are fewer digital distractions, which opens up more time for reading. Mr. Thomas Kida, who also teaches sophomore English, proposed the new reading time, hoping it would help students settle into class without digital distractions. “With no cell phone distractions and no threat of an assessment, students are reading more and choosing what they like,” Kida explained. “It’s creating a better classroom environment and helping students focus more.”
Students share their views on the program. “It’s a great use of time since we don’t have to do any work,” Anish Tandon said.
Christian Soi agreed. “I like that we can read carefree instead of doing work,” he said.
Kow Quagraine said he likes the reading time as a respite from other tasks. “It’s a good non-stressful way of getting a break from school,” he said.
For teachers, the new approach seems to be working. Mrs. Rokoszak noted that students who usually don’t read outside of school are now getting into books of their choice. “When students say, ‘I usually don’t like reading, but I loved that book,’ it’s such a rewarding moment as a teacher,” she said.