T.J. and the Cup Run (T.J. (Theo Walcott) Book 3)
#1 in T.J. and the Team Series
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
TJ and his friends get a terrible shock when their old teacher, Mr Potter, returns from illness to take over from Mr Wood as PE teacher at Parkview School. Worse still, they are about to play in the semifinal of the Cup, and Mr Potter's really bad tactics nearly lose them the match. With everything they've trained for hanging in the balance, can TJ and his friends turn things around and win?
Discussion points
What challenges did T.J. face in the story and how did he overcome them?
How did teamwork play a role in achieving the Cup Run?
What qualities do you admire in T.J. and why?
Can you relate to any of the emotions T.J. felt during the tournament?
If you were in T.J.'s shoes, how would you handle the pressure of the competition?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, validating their opinions as they speak.
Relate the themes of the book, such as perseverance and teamwork, to real-life situations your child might face, enhancing their connection to the story.
Ask your child to imagine alternative scenarios within the book and discuss how different actions might have led to different outcomes.
Highlight the importance of sportsmanship and fair play as demonstrated in the book, discussing how these values can be applied in everyday life.
Use expressive reading, altering your tone and volume to match the excitement of the story, making the reading experience engaging and dynamic.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The main character, T.J., faces numerous challenges while striving to win the cup with his football team. Despite adversities, he continues to push forward.
Real-World Application: Children will understand the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties, whether in sports, schoolwork, or personal relationships.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: T.J. learns that collaboration and supporting teammates are crucial to achieving shared goals in football.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in school projects, family activities, or playing sports with friends, teaching children that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Sportsmanship
Explanation: The book highlights the essence of fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behavior whether you win or lose.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice good sportsmanship by being polite and gracious in competitive settings, thus building respectful and strong character traits.
Example Lesson: Goal-setting
Explanation: T.J. sets a clear goal to win the cup, which guides his actions and decisions throughout the book.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to set their own goals and to understand that having clear objectives can help guide their actions and focus.