Real Men Read

Link: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/feature.php?id=154

On Thursday, October 4, 2007, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will encourage first and second graders at Martha M. Ruggles Elementary School Library in Chicago to continue their love of reading through the Real Men Read program, sponsored by Chicago Public Schools.

In keeping with Chicago�s frenzy for all things Cubs-related, Quinn and Chris Singleton will read the sports page to six- and seven-year old students and recount the details of game one as the Cubs pursue the National League title. Following, Quinn and Singleton will get students� reactions and their predictions for tonight�s second game.

Real Men Read is a Chicago Public Schools program in which men commit to reading aloud to students and then leading a discussion for one hour, once a month. This male mentoring program aims to improve literacy skills among students while also providing them with a male role model.

�As baseball fever sweeps through the city, parents and role models can be creative and use the excitement to bolster our kids� interest in reading,� Quinn said. �Whether it�s a story book or the sports page, reading to children helps make them excellent readers.�

The reading aloud component of Real Men Read builds children�s vocabulary, improves their listening skills, enhances their understanding of what has been read, and improves their overall attitude towards reading. Aside from academic benefits, Real Men Read bolsters male community involvement and credibility by proving that �real men� value education.

Since the inception of Real Men Read more than 300 male mentors have visited 39 second, fifth, and seventh grade classrooms. These volunteer mentors are from every walk of life including lawyers, firemen, accountants, doctors, policemen, custodians, entrepreneurs, executives, college students, bankers and artists who make up the diverse group of volunteers dedicated to showing children that being able to read � and read well � is something to be proud of.

�It�s real men like Chris Singleton who are actively involved in the community that make the Real Men Read program a success,� Quinn said. �I commend Chris not only for his work on the baseball field but also for continuing to be a positive male role model for children.�

Singleton is a former professional baseball player who is currently the color commentator on Chicago White Sox radio broadcasts. During his six-year major league career, he played for the Chicago White Sox from 1999-2001 and also for the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Quinn will also be joined by Ida C. Patterson, Principal of Ruggles Elementary School, and Nichole Matthews, Coordinator of the Real Men Read Program.

For more information about the Real Men Read program, please visit www.StandingUpForIllinois.org.