Tackle ReadingAn 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

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? _____________________________________

Short Story Reading & QuizStaley’s Statistics Answer key1) 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

If you need some extra help the answers are located below (upside down) at the bottom of

the page. Good luck andGo Bears!

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 _________________________________________

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 ChartTo 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 QuarterTitle:

Author:

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Write or draw about your favorite part of the book.

Parent Signature:

Title:

Author:

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Write or draw about your favorite part of the book.

Parent Signature:

3rd Quarter 4th QuarterTitle:

Author:

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Write or draw about your favorite part of the book.

Parent Signature:

Title:

Author:

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Write or draw about your favorite part of the book.

Parent Signature:

Complete the 4 weeks to win an autographed certificate from Staley!

Tackle Matching GameDirections: 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 EssayCongratulations 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 FieldC/O Tackle Reading Program

1410 S. Museum Campus Drive – Gate 14Chicago, 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