Combating Digital Distractions

In an innovative approach to combating digital distractions and promoting literacy, Leslie Hocking, a dedicated Language Arts teacher at Dover High School, has implemented a transformative program with support from the SEED Seacoast Educational Endowment. For the past three years, the initiative has provided incoming freshmen with a personally selected book of their choice, effectively encouraging reading engagement and fostering a love of literature in an era dominated by digital entertainment.

The program strategically empowers students by allowing them to select a book that genuinely interests them, creating a personal connection to reading that transcends traditional classroom assignments. By giving students agency in their reading choices, Hocking has seen remarkable success in motivating young readers to put down their devices and pick up a book.

Preliminary results have been exceptionally promising, demonstrating the program's potential to reignite passion for reading among teenagers and create lasting literacy habits. This targeted approach not only supports academic development but also provides students with a valuable alternative to screen-based entertainment.