By Rosie Smith
Book covers line the corners of the hallway entering Alter Hall on the way to English and World Languages classrooms. The book covers are the result of books read by all McNicholas students since August of 2023.
During the 2023-2024 school year, the English Department implemented 15 minutes of choice reading at the beginning of each block day class. During this time, students are allowed to read whatever book they choose, and students are expected to finish at least one book each semester.
Once a student has finished a book, their English teacher prints a color copy of the book cover to add to each grade’s book wall. English teachers Mrs. Julie Dill and Mrs. Andrea Wheeler have worked together to encourage the love reading for all students by helping create this book wall.
After attending a conference for AP teachers, Dill had the idea of adding the choice reading time to give students the ability to read any book what they want to read and then creating a wall of book covers of the book’s students have read. She felt the purpose is “to encourage students to read, and what they want to read.” In her classroom, she has noticed that the most common genre is any type of series that is popular, and she feels the choice of reading time is a great way to disconnect and continue learning. “Students keep reading because they’re in a series of a book,” Dill said.
Freshman Chiara Thompson recently finished Legendary Caraval in just a day or two. Her friend, Frankie Colona, also a freshman, recommended it to her. Thompson said she was a big fan of the book and recommended it to those who find interest in good plots and great character development and fantasy genres. “One chapter in, it was already really interesting,” she said. Thompson added that she loved the author’s writing and felt the writing was well-balanced. “The author has a really good writing style, where it’s not like action packed, but it has balance,” she added.
Wheeler, who teaches all freshmen, said she has noticed that their genre of choice is realistic fiction. “People like books they can relate to,” she said. Wheeler also said that there are different types of books that can fit into the category of realistic fiction, and there are always new books and new writers, which students tend to find interest in. She said that by giving students time in class to read, they can read what they love. Wheeler added that her freshmen are good at taking suggestions, and are focused in class during block days. “I think [the book wall] is an amazing thing., Every time I walk by, I get reading suggestions,” Wheeler said.
The McNicholas Milestone 