by Annette Lyon

I found my son staying up well past his bedtime, a book hidden under his covers. With a stern voice, I reminded him that it was a school night.

“Can I finish this chapter? Pleeeeease?” he begged.

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by Dave Ellis

We recently traveled to Park City, Utah (yes, that Park City) for a family vacation. We had never been there and it was quite an experience. The main thing is that it was 68 degrees the entire time: it was beautiful. Honestly, I could have stayed in the Pahrump municipal dump if it was 68 degrees and I would still tell you it was beautiful. Our vacation was not about the surroundings as much as the temperature.

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I turned a page in my life today. As I write this, it’s the first day of school. I sent three kids off to school this morning, leaving me with only two little ones at home for six hours. This year, I don’t have a kindergartener, tying me to three daily bus schedules. Nor do I have a newborn, tying me to nap schedules and nursing times in between three bus schedules.

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By Rekaya Gibson

In order to get your child to read, create a family reading room or space in your home. Make sure you include comfortable seating with adequate lighting. Have everyone choose their favorite book, magazine, or newspaper to read for fifteen minutes.

Read at the same time every day. If schedules don’t permit this, have the family agree upon a day and time once a week that’s convenient. Do not schedule anything during this time. Reduce interruptions by turning off cell phones, iPods, and televisions. Once you commit to reading on a regular basis, it will become a habit.

Before you begin, set a timer. If everybody wants to read longer, add ten more minutes. When the bell rings, enjoy a light snack with your kids. Take the opportunity to have each person discuss what they read.

By Lu Ann Brobst Staheli

You can lead a horse to water . . . but you can’t make him drink. Unfortunately, this statement is applicable all too often to children within the public school system. The first week of school, I asked students in my reading class to share the titles of ten books they had either read by themselves, or that someone had read to them, which they would recommend to others. Several of these eighth and ninth grade students admitted they had never read an entire book on their own. They have been expected to read throughout their school career. How does it happen that they get to junior high school without having read?

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