I love doing unit studies with my twin 7-year-old boys as part of our homeschool routine. I usually let them alternate picking themes and this time was Pirates! Arghhh!!!! Here’s how I set up our Pirate Unit Study!
When I got out the materials for our Pirate Unit Study it was a Friday afternoon when we were taking a long weekend, they had had Thursday and Friday off from homeschool and we were happily playing with friends in our playroom/schoolroom. I started setting things up and they immediately wanted to dig in! I told them it wasn’t a school day but they insisted. A proud mom-teacher moment…you know you’ve hit a winner when they want to do school on a no-school day!
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The first thing I do when I’m setting up a unit study is look around my house and my mother-in-law’s (she has a great supply of toys, games, and books for the kids when they’re over there for the afternoon). After all, I’m always looking to make things less expensive and save a few dollars here and there. She had the pirate eye patches and hats and I already had the old Jake and the Neverland Pirates play ship from their toddler days. I snagged them and added them to the pile.
Too Busy to Make this right now? Pin for later to your favorite Pinterest Board!
There are a few main things I like to include in my unit studies – hands-on activities, books (lots of books), and games. Here’s a list of the items I have in this particular unit study.
Pirate Unit Study Resources
I love setting up unit studies and sharing what resources we loved! Here's what we used to study Pirates this year!
Pirate Chapter Books
We will read one or two chapter books aloud. Be sure to check out the hands-on materials to keep them entertained quietly while you read!
Who Was Blackbeard?
This was a great read aloud and they both loved it! We added Blackbeard to our History Timeline too!
Pirates Magnified: With a 3x Magnifying Glass
I debated where to put this book as it isn't really a chapter book but not a picture book. However, it is. a fun book to read together and use the magnifying glass to find the hidden treasures!
Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House, No. 4)
Magic Treehouse books are always a hit. A fun story packed with great facts and information!
Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean (Time Twisters)
This book is a great story about pirates and has a lot of good information about Abigail Adams as well!
Picture Books
I love adding picture books as the boys still enjoy them. While more often for fun, you'll often find facts and information presented in a fun way!
There Was an Old Pirate Who Swallowed a Map! (There Was an Old Lad)
So maybe not a lot of factual information in this book but it is a really fun story!
Who Wants to Be a Pirate?: What It Was Really Like in the Golden Age of Piracy
This pirate picture book had not only a great story but lots of good information for the boys!
The Word Pirates
Studying pirates doesn't mean you can't add other subjects and this was a fun story about finding words in books!
Your Life as a Cabin Boy on a Pirate Ship (The Way It Was)
Read a book about being a cabin boy on a Pirate Ship!
A Stegosaurus Would NOT Make a Good Pirate
They loved this fun book about why a Stegosaurus would not make a good pirate!
Pirate Hands-On Activities
Hands-on activities not only help with fine and gross motor skills but help keep them quiet during read-alouds!
PLUS PLUS - Mini Maker Tube - Pirate
They love making these plus plus activities. Great for fine motor skills and following directions!
Safari Ltd Pirates TOOB
Don't forget how important imaginary play is! Grab some playdough or a box and let them get creative with these pirate figurines!
The Learning Journey Puzzle Doubles Glow In The Dark - Pirate Ship - 100 Piece
This was a huge hit! Just be sure to set it up somewhere you can let it sit until it gets dark!
Playscene Pirate Coins, Party Favor Treasure Coins (144)
We used these for math counters during math time to bring our unit study into our other subjects!
Grandpa Beck's Games Skull King - The Ultimate Pirate Trick Taking Game
This was a little advanced for the twins but they still had fun trying to play!
Anley Pirate Mini Flag 12 Pack - Hand Held Small Miniature Jolly Roger Flags on Stick
Just. for fun and to encourage more imaginative play!
Blackbeard Unit Study
I love grabbing these for a journal while they listen to me read.
Pirate Unit Study Conclusion
We love unit studies and work with them all the time! Keep an eye out as I add some of our new ones like this dinosaur unit study or skeleton unit study!
