The Phillie Phanatic is the star of ten children's books and as a result has helped turn his love of reading into the exciting Be a Phanatic About Reading literacy program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The program, presented by Comcast, was created to encourage children to improve their literacy skills by reading for a minimum of 15 minutes a day. In 2011/12 the program enrolled over 100,000 students and the Phanatic hopes this school year will be just as successful! For information on how your classroom can be a part of Be a Phanatic About Reading email fandev@phillies.com.
The program is divided into two levels: one for children in grades K through 3 and the other for grades 4 through 8. Children will be asked to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day reading whatever book they select. Younger children will be given Phanatic coloring sheets to color in once they have attained their goal while older children will be asked to record the book they read and write a few sentences on their favorite part of the book. The Phillie Phanatic will make a special visit to the top performing schools. To qualify for a Phanatic visit, children will report their progress to their teachers who in turn will tell the Phillies how the children have done in their reading endeavors. From that progress report, schools will be selected for a school visit.
This year the Be a Phanatic About Reading program is going to be better than ever and the Phanatic does not want you or your students to miss out on the fun. For information on how to register, e-mail fandev@phillies.com or call 215.463.1000.
Classrooms have the opportunity to win a special visit from the Phillie Phanatic.
To qualify for a Phanatic visit, children will report their progress to their teachers who in turn will tell the Phillies how the children have done in their reading endeavors. From that progress report, the top performing classrooms/schools will be selected for a Phanatic visit. Visits will be scheduled between January and May.
Each year, the Phillies celebrate the Be a Phanatic About Reading program with a special night at the ballpark. On June 1, 2012 we honored the Most Outstanding and Most Improved Readers in the program and held a new and gently used book collection to benefit Philadelphia Reads.
Congratulations to the 2012 Be a Phanatic About Reading 10 Most Improved and 10 Most Outstanding Winners.
These winners were selected from hundreds of students who were nominated by their teachers and were honored on field during June 1's Be a Phanatic About Reading Night presented by Comcast.
| Naseym Ferguson | J. H. Brown School |
| Caleb Jager | Gloucester County Christian School |
| Young Kim | Voorhees Middle School |
| Kera McCarthy | Stephen Decatur Elementary School |
| Donovan Melendez | William McKinley Elementary School |
| Garrett Reinhard | Southampton Township School #1 |
| Katie Snyder | General Nash Elementary School |
| Jillian Street | Thurgood Marshall Elementary School |
| Gabriella Valdivia | Annunciation BVM School |
| Cora Welch | Lower Alloways Creek School |
| Dwayne Bryant Jr. | Roslyn Elementary School |
| Thomas Collins | Saint Monica School |
| Benjamin Albro | Academy in Manayunk |
| Kelsey Wagner | Charles Boehm Middle School |
| Justin Keo | Incarnation of Our Lord |
| Javier Puig Gwynedd | Square Elementary School |
| Katie Rhodes | Eyer Middle School |
| Melanie Rivera | Mullica Township Middle School |
| Nia Stevenson | Delcroft School |
| Gianna Traenkner | Blackwood Elementary School |
All those nominated received a certificate from the Phillies and had their names displayed in the First Base Plaza on Be a Phanatic About Reading Night.
That night also included a book collection and fans donated thousands of books to benefit Philadelphia Reads.
This program has been terrific for reluctant readers. It has been especially rewarding for students that were not motivated readers. It has been rewarding to watch these young readers become more fluent readers.
I used the reading program as an incentive to motivate my students to read. The program was just, simply, fun! Everyone loves the Phanatic and anything to do with him.
I have used the program since September. My students have actively kept the reading log to show their reading. Thank you very much. I will look forward to doing this awesome program again next year.
I would like to commend you and the Phillies organization for taking part in such an important area of student development. As a Reading Specialist, I am thrilled to see organizations that kids so passionately care for,develop programs to encourage the whole child! I am equally as impressed with the knowledge of reading research that is included in your letter.
Thank you for providing my class with this opportunity. They are really enjoying the challenge. I am proud to see that I am seeing many of my students showing a greater interest in reading.
Don't see your School District? Enroll your school and your district will be added to the list!
Tell the Phanatic what you like to read!
Plus find out about the Phanatic's new book, "The Adventures of Super Phanatic"
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