If you have sport loving students in your classroom, they’re going to love the book Salt In His Shoes. This is a great book to read for Black History Month as well as during a unit on biographies. The story is all about basketball player, Michael Jordan, as he was growing up and learning to play the sport. You students will be so engaged listening to this story. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The book, Salt in His Shoes, tells the story of Michael Jordan as a young boy. He grew up playing basketball with his brothers, however he was the shortest boy on the court. He was often teased by one of the taller boys. After losing the game one day, Michael asked his mother what he needed to do to grow taller. His mom suggested putting salt in his shoes being patient, and praying everyday. Michael did this for several months while practicing basketball.
Months last, he wasn’t any taller and was starting to feel discouraged. Michael’s dad talked to him and explained that he didn’t need to be tall to be a good player. He needed to be determined, work hard, and practice. This gave Michael the confidence to go back the basketball court with his brothers. He was able to score the winning point for his team and went on to become a basketball star.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
An engaging book like Salt In His Shoes is a great way to teach reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and social emotional learning. Students won’t even realize they are learning because they will be so excited about the story itself.
- Ask students to identify the message of this story. It teaches a very important lesson!
- Analyze the cause and effect of characters’ actions throughout the book.
- Have students write an informational paragraph about Michael Jordan.
- Write poems about basketball or other sports.
- Explore comparative and superlative adjectives.
- Teach a lesson on plural nouns.
- Discuss the importance of perseverance, best effort, and patience when learning something new.
- Encourage students to set their own goals!
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
If you have students that enjoy sports then they are going to love these activities. There are so many to choose from making it so you can find activities to go with anything you’re teaching. Teachers will be so happy all they need to do to prepare is press print!
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
- Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges
- Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
- The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
