Team Player (Thoroughbred #50)
#50 of 72 in Thoroughbred Series
on Goodreads (204)
What’s inside...
Independent and competitive Parker Townsend wants desperately to be asked to join the Olympic team with his mare, Foxglove, but first Parker must show that he is not only an athlete, but also a team player. This story follows Parker's journey as he learns the importance of teamwork and cooperation, all while striving to achieve his Olympic dreams. Suitable for readers aged 8 and above.
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make someone a good team player?
How did the characters in the book demonstrate teamwork?
Can you think of a time when you had to work as part of a team? What was that like?
Why do you think it's important to trust your teammates?
How would you handle a situation where a team member is not cooperating?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use specific examples from the book to guide the discussion, relating them to real-life scenarios your child might face.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about teamwork and cooperation, reinforcing that these are valuable life skills.
Discuss the outcomes of teamwork in the story, and relate them to positive outcomes in sports or school projects.
Create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable sharing personal experiences related to the themes of the book.
Highlight the character’s development throughout the book to show how they learned the importance of being a team player.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Team Player', the characters work together to train a Thoroughbred horse, demonstrating the importance of teamwork in achieving a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning how to collaborate effectively with peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist learns to take care of a Thoroughbred, illustrating the responsibilities involved in managing a task.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children the value of being responsible, whether it's in completing their homework, chores, or caring for a pet.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Characters face challenges in training the Thoroughbred but persevere to overcome them, showing the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children will understand that setbacks are part of any process and that persistence is key to achieving their goals, whether in academics or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Sportsmanship
Explanation: The book highlights good sportsmanship in competitive scenarios, especially in horse racing.
Real-World Application: This can help children deal gracefully with winning or losing in sports and other competitive situations, promoting respect and fairness.