ChicagoBears.com/Staley Staley Da Bear @TheRealStaley

“Tackle Reading”

The Chicago Bears are proud to present the most innovative incentive-based reading program in the NFL! “Tackle Reading” was

created by Staley Da Bear, the team’s official mascot, to promote his love and enthusiasm towards reading and learning. Staley

is inviting all elementary-aged students to share in his delight by participating in this new program. Staley and his MC will

jumpstart your child’s desire to pick up a book by combining education and comedy into a 45 minute high energy show!

The Message: “Tackle Reading”…Dive into a good book.

A 45 minute fun-filled school program discussing the five essential components of reading which, according to the

National Institute for Literacy 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.

Further, Staley and his MC entwine 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 5 week reading program called “Staley’s “Tackle Reading Challenge”. Each

student will receive a 7-page activity booklets containing various reading–themed games along with a “Tackle Reading” chart to

be used in the challenge.

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 Challenge” is divided into four one-week quarters and one “overtime”

week. Students are encouraged to read one book per quarter. The “first half” (week’s one and two) should be comprised of

fiction books. The “second half” (week’s three and four) should be comprised of non-fiction books. Students are invited to

complete the “overtime” portion of the program by either writing a book report on one of the 4 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 his/her

activity booklet. A PDF version is available at www.chicagobears.com/staley

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 Grand Prize: A select number of winners will score the ultimate prize!

Everyone who finishes the “overtime” portion of “Staley’s Tackle Reading Challenge” will be entered into the Grand Prize

Drawing. In April, 100 students will win the ultimate experience….a mini-camp experience conducted by Chicago Bears players!

ChicagoBears.com/Staley Staley Da Bear @TheRealStaley

“Staley’s Tackle Reading Challenge”

To get started:

Step 1: Ask your parents permission to begin “Staley’s Tackle Reading Challenge”. Remember, your

parents and your teacher must sign each “quarter” in order for you to be considered for the Grand Prize

drawing.

Step 2: Print out one chart and follow the rules of each “half”.

Step 3: Chart your progress by filling out the required information in each week or “quarter” of your

chart. Readers should choose fiction books for the 1st and 2nd quarters. Readers should choose non-

fiction books for the 3rd and 4th quarter. Readers are eligible for a Certificate of Completion upon

completion of “regulation”. Readers are encouraged to complete the 5th week or “overtime” portion of

the program by writing a book report on one of the 4 books read during “regulation”, or by writing a

short story of their own.

Step 4: At the end of the “overtime” portion of the program, make sure one of your parents or legal

guardian has signed the chart. Be sure to include your book report or short story. (Younger children may

draw a picture accompanied by a sentence)

Step 5: Send in your chart and book report or short story to:

Chicago Bears

c/o Staley Da Bear’s Tackle Reading Challenge

1410 S Museum Campus Drive

Gate 10

Chicago, IL 60605

(To reduce shipping costs, schools and teachers may send in only names and the grade level of each

student who successfully completes the challenge.)