Treasure Island!

Objective & content

This activity sheet is a pirate treasure hunt. A pirate girl asks for help: her treasure is somewhere on the island. Pupils read six pirate words (ship, island, treasure, parrot, palm tree, compass), then follow four directions on a map of the island, square by square, to find the treasure. Finally, they hide a treasure of their own and write the way for a partner. By the end, pupils give and follow directions with up, down, left, right and a number of squares ("Go right 3 squares.").

Pedagogical guide

Everything turns on one instruction, Go + direction + number + squares, which pupils first read and follow, then write. Task 1 sets out the words with a picture for each. Task 2 is the map: a grid of six by six squares, with letters A to F across the top and numbers 1 to 6 down the side. Pupils start at the ship on the sea (START) and follow four directions, each with an arrow: up 2, right 3, up 2, right 1. On the way they pass the cave, which tells them they are on the right path. They draw the treasure in the empty square they reach and write its name, a letter and a number. Task 3 turns it round: pupils draw an X somewhere on the island and complete four lines ("Go ... ... squares.") with a direction from the list (up, down, left, right) and a number, for a partner who follows the way with a finger. Page 2 gives the answer key (the treasure is in square E2) and the teacher notes.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Play it in the classroom: one pupil walks, the class gives the directions: "Go right three steps! Go up two steps!"
2. (5 min) Task 1: read the six pirate words together.
3. (10 min) Task 2: pupils put a finger on START and follow the four arrows, counting the squares aloud; they check they pass the cave, then draw the treasure and write its square.
4. (10 min) Task 3: pupils draw an X on the island and write the four directions to reach it.
5. (10 min) In pairs, pupils swap sheets; the partner follows the directions with a finger and checks that they land on the X.

Adaptations

[S] Do the first two arrows of Task 2 together as a class.

[A] Pupils add a picture on their path: "Go past the cave."

Materials & prerequisites

One copy per pupil of page 1, in colour or black and white. Pupils need a pencil. Page 2 is the answer key with teacher notes: keep it. Pupils should know the numbers one to six and the letters A to F; up, down, left and right are on the sheet, each with an arrow.