Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play by Katheryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook

Illustrated by Andy Robert Davies

Published on 08/04/2015 by Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

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Book Description

Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play uses rhymes and visual cues to introduce kids to seven different sports. Throughout the book, a clothesline is displayed hanging specific athletic gear to give the reader clues as to what sport the gear belongs to. When readers guess, they can turn the page to reveal the sport and see the athletes dressed in their gear and in full sports action. This book is fun, engaging, and catchy.

I think Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play is the best nonfiction book for grades K-2 because it encourages active engagement from the students, has them using their prediction skills throughout, and displays a variety of sports; from well-known sports to ones students may be less familiar with. This book promotes physical activity by encouraging readers to choose one of the sports to try out. In addition, the illustrations are detailed, vibrant, and display a diverse group of people.

~ Excerpt ~

“High on the clotheslines / the clues swing and sway. / Who uses these things / for the sports that they play?”

“Catcher’s mitt and bat / a uniform in gray / Cap, ball, and bases / What sport does he play?… He plays baseball.”

Healthy Behavior Outcomes and National Health Education Standards:

• HBO 1: Engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day.
• HBO 2: Regularly engage in physical activities that enhance cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscle endurance, and muscle strength.
• NHES 1: Explain ways to be active every day.
• NHES 6: Take steps to achieve the personal goal to be active.

Integration with Core Curriculum

History: Students pick a sport mentioned in the book and research its history, including when and where the sport originated and how the sport has changed overtime.

Art: Students create their own miniature clotheslines by drawing athletes gear hanging on a line, that pertains to a certain sport. Once complete, students can present their clothesline to their classmates to see if they can guess the sport.

Writing: Students write about the sports that they enjoy being active in and list one of the sports from the book that they would like to try.

PE: Students can vote on which sport mentioned in the book that they would like to try in PE class.