Tackle Reading An extension of the Bears Tales to Tackle program brought to you by ComEd
Tackle Reading Dear Parents and Educators, In football, we know that the first phase provides the offense. The second phase brings the defense. The third phase is truly special. But the Fourth Phase makes it all matter. Bears fans are the 4th Phase.and they are the lifeblood of the Chicago Bears. Staley and the Bears are proud to present the best reading program in the NFL! Tackle Reading was created by Staley Da Bear, the team s official mascot, to promote his love of reading and learning to the 4th Phase. Staley is inviting all elementary-aged students to share in his delight by participating in the new program. The Objective: To foster a student s interest in reading both fiction and non-fiction books. Similar to a football game, Staley s Tackle Reading program is divided into four one-week quarters and one overtime week. Students are encouraged to read one book per quarter. They will read two fiction books during the first half and two non-fiction books during the second half. Students are invited to complete the overtime portion of the program by either writing a book report on one of the four books read during regulation, or by writing a short story. All information can be logged in your students Tackle Reading chart located at the back of this activity booklet. A PDF version is available at www.chicagobears.com/staley. The Results: Every student who finishes Staley s Tackle Reading challenge wins a prize! Staley will present every student who completes the regulation portion of Staley s Tackle Reading challenge with a unique Chicago Bears certificate commemorating the reader s accomplishments. Students who complete the overtime portion will become eligible for the Grand Prize. The Assembly: Tackle Reading Dive into a good book. A 45 minute fun-filled school program discussing the five essential components of reading. According to the National Institute for Literacy those include: phonetic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. A special focus is given to the area of comprehension and the importance of remembering key strategies that can be helpful when reading. Staley and his MC combine education and comedy to create an engaging hands-on assembly exploring reading comprehension and the differences between fiction and non-fiction reading. As a wrap up, Staley s MC invites audience members to participate in an incentive-based five week reading program called Staley s Tackle Reading challenge. The Challenge: Test your reading comprehension skills and score a touchdown. Staley wants you to be the next young Bears fan to finish the program. For more information about Tackle Reading or Staley visit www.chicagobears.com/staley. Good luck and GO BEARS!
Staley s Word Search Can you find these words above? *Answers in back of book
Short Story Reading & Quiz Partner with a friend and take turns reading through the following Short Story Staley s Statistics. It is filled with fun facts about Staley and the Bears. When you finish reading the story, take a few minutes to test your comprehension skills and by answering the questions at the bottom of the page. Staley is proud to represent Bears fans (the 4th Phase) everyday throughout the year as the team s official mascot. Staley s Statistics Staley ranks as the all-time funniest, friendliest, fuzziest, funkiest bear in the history of the NFL. He currently leads the Bears in most t-shirts shot into the crowd, most costume changes in a single season, longest butt bounce (40 yards), most high fives most autographs signed, and most dance moves. Named a three-time Pro-Bowl mascot (2004, 2006, and 2009) Staley won a gold medal for rock-paper-scissors and a silver medal in the staring contest at the Celebrity Mascot Olympics Staley has yet to attend College. Unfortunately most universities prohibit the admission of bears. Staley did however attend the circus in 2005. His tickets were excellent. The popcorn wasn t bad either. Staley was not impressed with the elephants. Staley currently holds all-time elementary records for longest kickball homerun (368 feet), largest desk, largest Trapper-Keeper, and most consecutive thumb wrestling victories (54). He was voted most likely to become a mascot and best hugger for five consecutive years. Staley enjoys exercising, playing the drums and is highly skilled with a fishing pole. His best friends are Pooh, Smokey, and Yogi. Things you might not know: Staley is named after the Chicago Bears original team name; Decatur Staley s. In 1921, while under the ownership and direction of George Halas, The Decatur Staley s relocated and became known as the Chicago Staley s. In 1922 the franchise took the name the Chicago Bears. Staley s perfect Sunday: My idea of a perfect Sunday is staying home and inviting 60,000 of my closest friends over to watch a Bears game at Soldier Field. Staley s Statistics Questions: 1) How long is Staley s longest butt bounce? 2) In what event did Staley win a gold medal at the Celebrity Mascot Games? 3) Staley attended college. True or False (circle one) 4) Staley was voted most likely to become a mascot and best for five consecutive years. 5) Name one of Staley s best friends 6) Who is Staley named after? 7) Staley s idea of a perfect Sunday is inviting 60,000 of his closest over to watch a Bears game at. 8) What is the phrase all Bears fans are also known as? Staley s Statistics Answer key 1) 40 yards 2) Rock, Paper, Scissors 3) False 4) Hugger 5) Pooh, Smoke, Yogi 6) Decatur Staleys 7) Soldier Field 8) The 4th Phase
Tackle Word Scramble Can you unscramble the words below? (Hint: they spell words about the Chicago Bears and reading) 1. etysal 2. rgnaeid 3. sraeb 4. hsaal 5. inticof 6. ictfnnnioo 7. olevn 8. btolfalo 9. rysot 10. iyrrbla 11. htuorf pesha If you need some extra help the answers are located below (upside down) at the bottom of the page. Good luck and Go Bears! Tackle Reading Word Scramble Answer Key: 1) Staley 2) Reading 3) Bears 4) Halas 5) Fiction 6) Nonfiction 7) Novel 8) Football 9) Story 10) Library 11) Fourth Phase
Tackle Reading Program Chart To complete the Tackle Reading program, simply read one book per quarter /week and answer the questions. You should choose to read fiction books for the 1st and 2nd quarter. You should choose to read non-fiction books for the 3rd and 4th quarter. 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter Title: Title: Author: Author: Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? Write or draw about your favorite part of the book. Write or draw about your favorite part of the book. Parent Signature: Parent Signature:
Complete the 4 weeks to win an autographed certificate from Staley! 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Title: Title: Author: Author: Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? Write or draw about your favorite part of the book. Write or draw about your favorite part of the book. Parent Signature: Parent Signature:
Tackle Matching Game Directions: Draw a line to connect the words with their correct definitions. Fiction Non-fiction Character Plot Setting Author Predictions Staley Genre Comprehension Vocabulary Phonics A category of artistic composition, marked by style, form, or content. Examples include mystery, comedy, and science fiction A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel The words used and understood by a particular person or group The time, place, and circumstances in which a story takes place The writer of a book, article, or other text A made up story A method of teaching reading and spelling based on the phonetic interpretation of ordinary spelling The all-time funniest, friendliest, fuzziest, funkiest bear in the history of the NFL A true story The pattern of events or main story in a narrative or drama To tell about something in advance of its occurrence by means of special knowledge or inference Understanding the meaning of what you just read *Answers in back of book
Tackle Reading Essay Congratulations on completing the Tackle Reading program! Complete the overtime portion of this program by either writing a one-page book report on one of the four books you read, or write your own short story. Your story can be about anything you choose to write about, and it can be either fiction or non-fiction. Younger students (grades K-2) may choose to draw a picture or write a paragraph. Upon completion of the overtime you will be entered into the grand prize drawing. 100 students will be randomly chosen as grand prize winners, and will be invited to participate in a mini-practice with the Chicago Bears!
Mail your Tackle Reading Chart and short story/picture to: Chicago Bears Soldier Field C/O Tackle Reading Program 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive Gate 14 Chicago, IL 60605 To learn more fun facts about Staley, visit www.chicagobears.com/staley Answers to Staley s Word Seacrh Answers to Tackle Matching Game Fiction Non-fiction Character Plot Setting Author Predictions Staley Genre Comprehension Vocabulary Phonics A category of artistic composition, marked by style, form, or content. Examples include mystery, comedy, and science fiction A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel The words used and understood by a particular person or group The time, place, and circumstances in which a story takes place The writer of a book, article, or other text A made up story A method of teaching reading and spelling based on the phonetic interpretation of ordinary spelling The all-time funniest, friendliest, fuzziest, funkiest bear in the history of the NFL A true story The pattern of events or main story in a narrative or drama To tell about something in advance of its occurrence by means of special knowledge or inference Understanding the meaning of what you just read
Visit www.chicagobears.com/staley for more information