Pirates!

The Plan

Books

Bubble Bath, Pirates! by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Peg Leg Peke by Brie Spangler
Pirate Nap by Danna Smith
This Little Pirate by Philemon Sturges

Extension Activities

Flannelboard: “Five Pirates for a Treasure Chest”
Five pirates on a treasure chest, one jumped off and four are left.
Four pirates on a treasure chest, one slid off and three are left.
Three pirates on a treasure chest, one fell down and two are left.
Two pirates on a treasure chest, one was pushed off and one is left.
One pirate on a treasure chest, he climbed down and none are left.
No pirates on the treasure chest, yo-ho-ho and now it’s all mine!
Credit: Mega Storytime

Flannelboard: “The Pirate Wore a Red Patch”
Pirate wore a red patch, red patch, red patch
Pirate wore a red patch all day long…
Credit: Loons and Quines

Action Song: “If You’re a Pirate and You Know It”
If you’re a pirate & you know it, swab the desk (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate & you know it, swab the desk (swish, swish)
If you’re a pirate & you know it, then you’ll hear sea winds a’blowin
If you’re a pirate & you know it, swab the desk (swish, swish)
(Walk the plank, stomp stomp // Say ahoy, ahoy!)
Credit: Born Librarian

Fingerplay: “Ten Little Pirates”
Ten little pirates stood in a row (hold up all ten fingers)
They bowed to their captain so (lower and raise fingers)
They marched to the left (march hands to left)
And marched to the right (march hands to right)
They shouted yo-ho! (cup hands over mouth)
And gave their captain a fright (act scared, cover mouth with hands)
Credit: Born Librarian

Song: “Sail, Sail, Sail Your Ship” (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
Sail, sail, sail your ship
Gently over the sea
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
A pirate’s life for me!
Credit: King County Library System

Craft

This was a craft kit that I bought from Oriental Trading. All of the foam shapes were peel and stick and the kids LOVED their pirate hats. We had several kids up in the department afterwards working on their treasure map coloring sheets and swashbuckling their crayons.

How It Went

I know I say this all the time, but this was an AMAZING theme for storytime! The kids had SO MUCH fun with the extension activities and shouting “ARR!” with me. The hit of storytime was “Bubble Bath Pirates,” and I have to thank a neighboring librarian who recommended and pulled the book for me — it is definitely being purchased for our storytime collection.