How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader...

This article hit home with me. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share it here. Lots of great advice and resources to help us all.

"The best way to get kids reading more is to give them books that they'll gobble up -- and that will make them ask for another. Yes, it's that simple.    1 + 1 = 2. Kids say the No. 1 reason they don't read more is that they can't find books they like. Freedom of choice is a key to getting them motivated and excited. Vampire sagas, comics, manga, books of sports statistics -- terrific! -- as long as kids are reading. Should they read on e-tablets? Sure, why not? How about rereading a book? Definitely. And don't tell them a book is too hard or too easy. "Great Expectations"? Absolutely. "Finnegans Wake"? Well, maybe not. And remember, books can be borrowed free at libraries." -- Author, James Patterson

Want to read more? See the full article by James Patterson here:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/28/opinion/patterson-kids-reading/index.html 

FREE Admision to National Parks 2015-2016

If you have a 4th grader this year, you and your entire family can visit national parks, federal lands, and waters for FREE.

This “Every Kid in the Park” initiative is made possible by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation.

The objective is to introduce kids to outdoor recreation. Students just need to sign up online and they will get a voucher that grants entrance to the student and a carload of passengers to federal recreation areas for one year.

For a complete list of National Parks in the Northwest, go here: http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/outdoors/parks-usa.htm 

READ, READ, READ!

UPDATED 6/10/15: Camp Wonderopolis Info! (see below)

Summer is almost here! Wherever you're headed, don't forget to pack some great books. To the beach. To the park. To grandma & grandpa's house. In the car. On an airplane. Enjoy your fabulous adventures, and read, read read! 

Click the links below for some fun reading suggestions!

Summer Reading List for students entering 

1st and 2nd grade

Summer Reading List for students entering 

3rd grade

Summer Reading List for students entering 

4th and 5th grade

Looking for a free educational way to entertain the kids all summer without leaving home? Sign up for Camp Wonderopolis today! The fun begins June 15: http://camp.wonderopolis.org/

For even more reading fun, check out some of these local Summer Reading Programs around Bellevue... (thanks to Lisa Long for this great list!)

Scholastic
Half-Price Books
Chuck E. Cheese
University Book Store
Barnes & Noble
King County Library System
TD Bank

Pre-Order Elizabeth Rusch's Books!

Award-winning author, Elizabeth Rusch is

 coming to Enatai on May 1st!

Students may PRE-ORDER her books and have them autographed on the day of her visit.

  ORDER FORMS ARE DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 23. 

Click here to print the order form.

Books are available to preview at Enatai Library. 

Additional detail about her books can be found at
www.elizabethrusch.com/ or www.amazon.com

Thank you to Bellevue Schools Foundation and Enatai PTSA for funding this exciting author visit!

Q & A: Raising Kids Who Read

"There's a big difference between teaching kids to read and teaching kids to love reading."

Great interview with David Willingham, author of the new book Raising Kids Who Read:  What Teachers and Parents Can Do.

Read the interview here.