trevordayschool

Meeting with Megan Hutchin, 7th- grade English teacher and English Department Chair, it is clear why Middle School students are so enthusiastic about the Independent Reading program—her energy and passion for literature are contagious. Trevor's unique program encourages 6th- and 7th-grade students to read for pleasure. A few years ago, Ms. Hutchin and Pamela Murphy, 9th–12th-grade English teacher and 9th-grade Dean—supported by Amy Archer, 6th–8th grade English teacher and advisor, and other colleagues—developed the program after critically reviewing the curriculum. ey realized there was an opportunity to celebrate reading as a hobby, not just a homework assignment. ey set the program's goals: Students would gain independence, advance as self- advocates, and journey outside their worlds to develop perspective and empathy. e program fosters a "real world" reading experience— students read what they like, not what is required. At the beginning of the year, students receive a diverse list of Young Adult literature; for every book they read for class, they also choose a book (from the list) to read independently. Middle School English teachers spend a significant amount of time reading and researching to find well-written, developmentally appropriate, and thematically relevant literature from which to choose. Teachers in other disciplines also get involved, expanding and further enriching the book lists. eir efforts have created eager readers who often race each other to check out books, generating buzz and excitement among Middle School peers. Ms. Hutchin could not be more pleased: "at's the best way to describe it—we want a buzz about reading." She adds, "ere is no better way to collaborate than to talk about something you love or something that confused you, and students are initiating those conversations with their advisors, teachers, and each other." Trevor's English department values a diversity of voices and the Independent Reading program has provided a chance to expand and reevaluate the curriculum. "We look at what's missing," notes Ms. Hutchin. "Are we offering enough LGBTQ voices? Are we lacking poetry or graphic novels?" e core curriculum is thoughtfully designed to reach each student where he or she is and to explore varied perspectives, but inevitably it is an ongoing challenge to accomplish fully. e Independent Reading program opens the door to a broader spectrum of genres, authors, and subject matters—in doing so, it adds an important resource to the curricular tool kit. As Middle School students explore their identities, it can be difficult to sit in a classroom where who you are isn't reflected back to you. According to Ms. Hutchin, "Literature can be an amazing way to process all kinds of feelings or to safely participate in something difficult in the world." e Independent Reading program may allow students to tackle the complexity of an antihero for the first time or hear their voice from an unexpected source. Students also grow in their perception of literature. Many are surprised to learn that an entire novel can 1 4 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6 T R E V O R T R A N S L AT E S : middle school independent reading

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