Q: How can I help my sports-obsessed middle schooler enjoy reading and writing more?

Answer 1

I’ve found that every student has varied experiences when opening up to reading and writing, regardless of interest - but the fact that they’re interested in sports can give you a good platform to jump off of in finding that approach.

The last tutoring student I had who was a sports fan was a 6th grader who enjoyed & played basketball for his school. It provided plenty of content for him to write about, so I would actually record him rambling about basketball until he came to something concrete with supporting thoughts. I would then suggest he write about that specific chain. If he couldn’t remember what he’d said, I would play the recording back for him, so that I was not prompting him to write beyond the initial “question” so to speak.

As far as reading, there are definitely sports books out there - fiction, and non-fiction. However, I found my student didn’t find them as interesting - he actually preferred to read sci-fi novels, with a bit of help. We read chapters aloud, then he’d read another couple between sessions, and the recap would be the first writing assignment I’d give him when we’d resume with the next session.

Ultimately, I find that really trying to find what your student latches onto for the various parts of English & Writing is crucial if you want to get that jump start in their interest. Try a method for a bit, but don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t work, mix it up until you find a good combination of methods. They’ll likely benefit from mixing it up with the different approaches as well, since it’ll keep things fresh and interesting until they land on what works best.

I hope this helps, let me know if I can clarify anything!

Answer 2

I believe that first one becomes a good reader before becoming a good writer. First explain to the middle schooler that reading is not a passive activity, but rather an active activity. One cannot be daydreaming about the ball game last night or tonight. One needs to be actively thinking and concentrating on what one’s reading. This is especially important and possibly harder to do when the middle schooler needs to read an uninteresting topic for homework or a test. The student also needs to know that reading a novel is different than reading technical information, the latest requiring more focus and concentration.

Ideally, the student should read in a well

lit area, sitting up, and when the student is not tired or sleepy. Parents should have magazines like Sports Illustrated, a biography of their favorite athlete, and the ability to access the internet to obtain information about the student’s sports interests. The parents' role must model these activities also to the student. Encourage the student to converse about what was read. Take a genuine interest in what the student says and greatly complement the student on any of the student’s insights.

When the student starts to take an interest in reading, then recommend to the student to write a couple of paragraphs about why he feels a certain athlete is the best in the student’s favorite sport. Encourage the student to write exactly how the student would talk about the topic.

Blow out of proportion how clear and insightful either the paragraphs or a portion of the writing was. Let the student know that just as one has become good in sports through practice, he/she also will become in better and eventually excel in reading and writing the more the student practices these activities.

Answer 3

As a tutor and certified teacher, I love helping students connect their personal interests, like sports, with academic skills. For a middle schooler who loves sports, the key is to make reading and writing feel relevant, engaging, and confidence-building.

Here are a few effective strategies I recommend:

1. Choose High-Interest, Sports-Themed Materials

Start with books, magazines, or articles that focus on their favorite athletes, teams, or sports. Graphic novels, biographies, or game recaps can make reading feel more exciting and less like a chore.

2. Turn Sports Talk into Writing Practice

Have your child write short player profiles, team rankings, or “game day” journals. Even texting-style play-by-plays or mock interviews can build narrative and informational writing skills.

As a tutor, I often blend structured literacy instruction with a student’s real-world interests to make learning both fun and effective. I’d be happy to help guide your child in building skills and confidence through what they love most, sports!

Answer 4

Start with their passion! I worked with one student who loves soccer, so we built our English lessons around it. We read a biography of his favorite player, pulled out new vocabulary from real sports commentary, and practiced using those words in both creative and informational writing. We even used it as a jumping-off point to improve his conversation skills with friends.

When English is connected to what students already care about, their confidence—and their skills—grow fast.

As a test prep tutor with 3,500+ hours of experience, I create custom reading and writing lessons that meet students where they are and help them succeed.

Curious if my approach could work for your child? I offer a free 30-minute introductory consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Let’s talk!