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 used in this particular pirate study!
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!
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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!
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Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House, No. 4)
Magic Treehouse books are always a hit. A fun story packed with great facts and information!
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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!
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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!
Pirate Ships
A fantastic book to learn about pirate ships and all the technical terms for sailing!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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A Stegosaurus Would NOT Make a Good Pirate
They loved this fun book about why a Stegosaurus would not make a good pirate!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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Anley Pirate Mini Flag 12 Pack – Hand Held Small Miniature Jolly Roger Flags on Stick
Just. for fun and to encourage more imaginative play!
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Blackbeard Unit Study
I love grabbing these for a journal while they listen to me read.
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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!
