Talk Like a Pirate Day: Must-Haves for Elementary Music

Did you know that September 19th has been deemed the annual, “Talk Like a Pirate Day?”

If you are a teacher that likes to incorporate seasonal activities or ridiculous holidays (like Talk Like a Pirate Day) to engage students but don’t like to stray too far from your curriculum with fluffy stuff, this post is for you!

Let's start with a game to practice Solfege Patterns:

Buried Treasure

What better way to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day than to hunt for buried treasure?? In this game, students pretend to collect the treasure by completing pirate-themed solfege challenges.

Maybe they’ll have to hum a pattern while walking the plank, or sing a pattern while swabbing the poop deck!? This one is definitely student-approved and will have your kids laughing through class!

The directions are simple:

1. Pick a MAP card to see what solfege pattern you’ll sing.

2. Pick a SHOVEL card to see what action you must complete while performing the pattern.

3. Collect a TREASURE card!

Check out this video here to see more details!

There are 7 different levels of Buried Treasure:

1. So-mi

2. La

3. Do

4. Re (drm)

5. Re (pentatonic)

6. Low La

7. High Do

If you teach multiple grade levels, you might want to purchase the BUNDLE to save some money!

Are Pirates Polite?

I found this book at a garage sale, but if you need it in a pinch, you can check your local library or purchase it here.

This book rhymes and is separated into small chunks, which makes it PERFECT for performing with an ostinato.

Sample passage from the book:

"Pirates are unruly

and pirates love to fight,

but pirates still say 'please' and 'thanks'

'cause pirates are polite."

Option 1: Give each group a passage, and have them create a 4-beat body percussion ostinato to perform while they say the rhyme. If they’re ready, let them choose unpitched percussion instruments. If it’s too much for them to say the rhyme and accompany with the ostinato, have them accompany while you read the book.

Option 2: For k-1, you can simply have them pat the steady beat (or pat/clap pattern) while you read.

Do you have any fun "Talk Like a Pirate Day" activities? Let us know in the comments!