Are you looking for some Sports children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Sports of any kind are a wonderful theme and are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Sport books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Sports, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. My Baseball Book by Gail Gibbons
Baseball is fun, but how does it work? Find all the basics in this lively guide for the youngest baseball fans from the Children’s Book Guild Award winner Gail Gibbons!
Find all the basics in this lively guide that includes a useful glossary at the end. The book introduces baseball, describing the equipment, playing field, rules, players, and process of the game.
Literacy Extensions:
- Sports Literature List
- Student Booklet: “My Favorite Sport”
- Sports Equipment Counting
- My Sports Story: Student Worksheets
2. My First Book of Basketball by Sports Illustrated
This book coaches’ young kids through the game of basketball with a visual retelling of a professional basketball game. From the jump ball to the game-winning basket! Dribbling, passing, traveling, shooting, dunks, and more are all explained. There is a fun mix of action photography, simple text, a full glossary of terms, and awesome graphics.
A girl, Gabby, and a boy, Sprat appear on every page, providing fun facts and simple explanations to help kids better understand the game. Perfect for emerging readers from preschool up.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Sports Book” Classroom Book
- “My Favorite Sport” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Two Sports
- Sports Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. The Boy Who Never Gave Up by Stephen Curry
The Boy Who Never Gave Up is the inspiring true story of NBA superstar Stephen Curry. This Fully illustrated picture book biography tells the story of a young boy who many said was too short to play in high school, too weak to play in college and not good enough to play in the NBA.
Against all odds, this small boy who follows his dream, not only makes it to the NBA, but becomes one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: Sports
- Sports Story Parts Worksheet
- Sports Acrostic Poem Art Project
- Sports Number Match Game
4. My Football Book by Gail Gibbons
Football is fun but how does it work? Find all the basics in this lively guide for the youngest football fans from the award winning author Gail Gibbons! In this beautifully illustrated picture book, young readers will learn about the game of football.
From the markings on a football field and what football players wear. To the all the football positions, quarterback to wide receiver. They will learn about the excitement of the kickoff and the thrill of scoring a touchdown.
Everything to know about football you can find in this book along with a glossary for football terms that is included.
Literacy Extensions:
- Sports Literature List
- Sports Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Sports Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Football Art Project
5. My First Golf Book by James & Lauren Smith
This is a great book for those who want to introduce young children to the concept that golf is fun! Join four young kids on a fun-filled day of discovery on the golf course.
My First Golf Book is a charming, colorful, hardcover picture book and a great first-reader. At a young age it’s most important to focus on how much fun the game can be and not get caught up with being concerned that your children will actually build sand castles in the traps. Share the game you love with the little ones in your life!
Literacy Extensions:
- My Favorite Sport” Classroom Book
- Sports Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Sports Art Project
- Sports Number & Ten Frames
6. K is for Kick: A Soccer Alphabet by Brad Herzog
An alphabet book all about soccer! The author shares his knowledge of the sport of soccer. The charming and realistic illustrations detail every facet of the game.
Each letter has a simple rhyme for young readers to ponder. J is for the Jersey that soccer players wear while K is for Kick. For older readers the
expository text gives specific details about goaltending, referees, the World Cup, and many other aspects of soccer.
Literacy Extensions:
- Sports Word Bank
- Sports Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Sports Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Sports Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Goodnight Hockey by Michael Dahl
Goodnight Hockey is the perfect bedtime book for every hockey fan! The rhyming text, exciting illustrations, and classic sport combination are a hat-trick of fun for the whole family.
A young fan cheers on his hometown hockey team, and then returns home to snuggle into bed. From the first puck drop to the final buzzer, Goodnight Hockey will have every hockey fan cheering. Rhyming text and energetic art perfectly capture the excitement and thrill of a hockey game.
Literacy Extensions:
- “My Favorite Sport” Student Booklet
- Sports Make a Short Vowel Word
- Sports Sight Word Games
- Sports Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.
With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.
Literacy Extensions:
- “My Sport” Classroom Book
- Sports Letter & Sound Match Game
- Sports Build a Word
- Sports Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Sports children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Sports books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
