OBSA — Week 4 (Bigs): Pirates — The Treasure Hunt
Our Big Summer Adventure · Week 4 · Bigs (3.5–5)

Week 4 — The Treasure Hunt

A week of pirate play that builds, clue by clue, to a Friday treasure hunt for real gold doubloons hidden in the sand. June 22–26 · Bigs classroom, ages 3.5–5.

Read this first

This guide pairs with the General Planning Guide — that's where the planning principles, the energy arc, and the full executive-function primer live. This Week 4 guide applies them to Pirates, built around the Bigs (3.5–5) daily schedule. The whole week builds toward Friday's Treasure Hunt: children follow a class-made map to find gold doubloons buried in the sandbox, then load them into a chest they decorated themselves. Start with the prep block just below — the EF lens, the checklist, and the supplies — then run the days.

Section 1 · The Overview

Week Snapshot

Theme
Pirates — The Treasure Hunt
Anchor
The Treasure Hunt — Friday, children follow the class-made map to find gold doubloons hidden in the sand, and fill their decorated treasure chest.
Classroom
Bigs · ages 3.5–5 · the "Perfect World" Bigs daily schedule
Dates
June 22–26, 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Parent-facing hook
"Ahoy! We're becoming a pirate crew this week — reading maps, decoding clues, and hunting for buried treasure, all building to a Friday treasure hunt."
Developmental value
Self-control & turn-taking, map/symbol reading, sequencing & memory, fine motor, cooperative play.
Logistics
In-house · Phase: Build momentum · Cost: $50–100 · Ops complexity: Medium (hunt setup + doubloons)
EF lens this week
Inhibitory Control  A treasure hunt is one long test of waiting and self-control — wait for the signal, take turns digging, and leave gold for your mates. (Reading the map gives memory a workout too.)
Section 2 · Start Here

Before You Run the Week

Four things to take in before the day plans: how this guide works, the one skill we're watching for, what to prep, and what to have on hand. Read these first; the five days follow.

How to use this guide. Each day below is the full run-sheet — every block of the Bigs schedule, in order, so you can print a single day and run it from the page. Transition and fixed blocks are kept brief; the flex blocks carry the detail.

The 📸 Brightwheel moments are built in. Look for the warm camera callout inside each day — it sits on the block where the photo naturally happens, with the shot to grab and a ready-to-post caption.

A note on the crafts. Five crafts anchor the week's Craft block — Pirate Hats, Build-a-Treasure-Map, Treasure Chest, Pirate Patterns, and Pirate Dot Paint. Other pirate favorites (pirate ship, flag painting, pirate hook, cutting pages) make great Centers add-ons for children who want more.

Printing. Use your browser's Print — each day breaks cleanly onto its own sheet.

Section 3 · The Lens

This Week's EF Lens — Inhibitory Control

Wait for the signal

Inhibitory control is the brake — the ability to pause a strong urge and choose what to do instead. A treasure hunt is built from exactly that urge: the pull to bolt for the X, to dig first, to grab all the gold. That pull is the gift — it gives children real, exciting reasons to practice stopping, waiting, and taking turns, all week long.

Your job is the light touch: notice it and name it when it shows up — not run "self-control drills." Use a clear "ready… go!" signal so waiting has a finish line, and celebrate the child who holds still for it, takes a turn, or leaves treasure for a friend.

Watch for it when a child…

  • Holds at the line and waits for the "go" instead of charging ahead.
  • Takes a turn digging and steps back so a friend can dig too.
  • Finds the treasure and leaves some for the crew instead of scooping it all.
  • Freezes on the signal mid-hunt, even when excited.
Section 4 · Prep

Before the Week

A little setup makes the hunt sing. Get these squared away over the weekend or Monday morning.

Count & stage the doubloons
Amy's gold doubloons are in — count them, set aside a handful for daily play, and keep the rest for Friday's big hide.
Choose the "ready… go!" signal
Pick the captain's signal (a bell, "Ahoy, pirates — GO!", a flag drop) and use the identical one all week so waiting has a finish line.
Sandbox stocked + sun protection
Fresh sand, scoops, and small shovels; sunscreen and hats by the door. Pre-stage nightly — the morning outdoor block is only 30 minutes.
Simple clue & map templates
A few picture-based clue cards and blank "treasure map" pages ready to go for Tuesday onward.
Class map poster
A big blank poster for Thursday's class-made map; markers and a few landmark stickers (tree, slide, sandbox).
Treasure chest craft kits
A small box per child plus jewels, sequins, and glue for the Wednesday chest — these hold Friday's gold.
Heat plan
Know your hot-day fallback for the midday Outdoor Activity (12:25) — shaded, shortened, or an indoor hunt.
Pirate music + dramatic-play props
Pick the pirate songs for Music & Movement; set out bandanas/eye patches and a "ship" in the dramatic-play corner.
Section 5 · Supplies

Supplies — Check & Request

Scan this against what's already in the room. Anything you're short on, send the checked list to Amy early — furniture & equipment especially, since those have the longest lead time. Items marked (parent) are family-supplied; on hand means it's already here.

Furniture & Equipment · order early

  • Sandbox / sand-play area stocked1
  • Shade canopy / umbrellasas needed
  • Big poster board / easel (class map)1
  • Dramatic-play "pirate ship" (crate/blocks)1
  • Storage bins2–3

Treasure Hunt Materials

  • Gold doubloons (Amazon, Amy)on hand
  • Blank treasure-map / parchment paper1 ream
  • Picture clue cardsset
  • Small shovels / scoops6–8
  • Landmark stickers (tree, slide…)pack
  • Captain's bell / signal1

Craft · the week's five

  • Pirate-hat die cuts + stapler (Mon)1/child
  • Mixed-media bits + glue (maps, Tue)set
  • Small boxes for chests (Wed)1/child
  • Jewels & sequins (Wed)tubs
  • Pirate Patterns worksheets (Thu)1/child
  • Pirate dot-paint printouts (Fri)1/child
  • Dot paint / bingo daubers6–8
  • Washable paint + brushesset
  • Glue sticks1/child
  • Add-on kits (ship, flag, hook, cutting)Centers

Music & Dramatic Play

  • Pirate songs / playlistready
  • Bandanas / eye patchesclass set
  • Spyglass / telescope prop1–2

Per-Child, Sun & Cleanup

  • Sunscreen (check stock)2–3
  • Sun hats (parent / spares)spares
  • Smocks1/child
  • First-aid kit (check)1
  • Paper towels + sanitizer2–3
Section 6 · The Week

The Week Builds Toward Friday

Five days that escalate — become a crew, learn to read maps and clues, practice the hunt, make the class map, then run the real treasure hunt. Each day adds one layer the children carry to the next.

Section 7 · The Skeleton

The Daily Rhythm

Every day runs the identical clock, and each day plan below carries it in full, block by block. Four blocks are fixed — the two snacks, lunch, and quiet time. Everything else is flex: that's the curriculum.

A note on the treasure and the heat. The hunt lives in the morning Outdoor Play window (9:00–9:30) — the cool part of the day, and where the sand-and-doubloons anchor goes every day. The midday Outdoor Activity (12:25–1:00) lands in peak Bakersfield heat; keep it shaded and light, shorten it, or move it indoors. Pre-stage the doubloons before Opening Circle so all 30 cool minutes are real hunting. And keep a steady count of the gold — knowing how many went out makes cleanup (and "did we find them all?") much easier.
Section 8 · The Plans

Five Days, Fully Planned

Each day is the full run-sheet — every block of the Bigs schedule, in order. The 📸 Brightwheel moment is tucked into the block where it happens.

Day1
Monday
Become Pirates
Pirate identity, pirate play, and the first hint that treasure is near.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. All classrooms together — quiet free play and books until the Bigs room opens.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle — Ahoy, Crew!

Kick off the week with pirate energy: this week we become a pirate crew, and on Friday we'll hunt for real buried treasure. Teach the week's one signal — the captain's "ready… go!" — and practice it twice as a game. Preview the visual schedule.

This week we're pirates — and pirates hunt for treasure! But the best pirates know how to wait for the captain's signal. Let's practice: ready… GO!
8:50–9:00

Handwash / bathroom. Sunscreen + hats on at the door before heading out.

9:00–9:30
Outdoor Play · Pirate Sand Play (anchor)

Free pirate play in the sandbox — dig, build, sail. Partway through, "discover" that you tucked a few gold doubloons in the sand over the weekend. Let the delight land: there's treasure here! Don't organize a hunt yet — today is about the spark and the first taste of the week's rule: when you find gold, there's enough for everyone, so leave some for your mates.

Materials — sandbox, scoops/shovels, a handful of doubloons pre-hidden, towels nearby.

✦ Inhibitory Control today — the moment a child finds gold is the moment to notice sharing: "You left some for your friends — that's a true pirate."
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a child in a pirate hat holding up a found gold doubloon, mouth open in delight.
Ahoy! 🏴‍☠️ Our pirate crew set sail today — and discovered there's real treasure buried in our sandbox! All week we'll be reading maps and decoding clues, building up to a big treasure hunt on Friday. ⚓
9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

"Pirate fuel." A calm reset after the excitement of the find.

9:50–10:00

Handwash / bathroom. Into the indoor blocks.

10:00–10:30
Craft · Pirate Hats

Every pirate needs a hat. Children paint a hat die-cut and you staple it to fit — instant crew identity they'll wear all week. Becoming the character is what makes the rest of the week feel real.

Materials — pirate-hat die cuts, washable paint, brushes, stapler (adult).

10:30–10:50
Music & Movement · Pirate Songs

Introduce the week's pirate songs and a "freeze when the captain says freeze" movement game — a playful first rep of stopping on a signal. The same songs all week build the familiarity that makes Friday a celebration.

10:50–11:20
Centers / Free Choice

Open centers with a pirate thread — a "ship" in dramatic play with bandanas and a spyglass, treasure in the sensory bin, boats in blocks. Children try on the pirate world at their own pace. (Pirate-ship and flag add-on crafts can live here for those who want more.)

11:20–11:35

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:35–12:10
Fixed
Lunch

A calm, social meal. Narrate the afternoon to come.

12:10–12:25

Handwash / bathroom. Before heading back out.

12:25–1:00
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — keep it shaded and light. A gentle "walk the plank" balance line or shade play; on a hot day, move to an indoor pirate movement game. Short is fine.

1:00–3:00
Fixed
Quiet Time

Rest, books, soft music. Bodies rest even if not everyone sleeps.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Slow, gentle transition back.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel for the afternoon.

3:50–4:20
Manipulative · Count the Gold

Sort and count doubloons into cups — fine motor plus number play. A quiet, satisfying way to keep the treasure theme alive, and a gentle "take just five" turn-taking practice.

4:20–4:35

Cleanup & room reset. Everyone helps; sing the cleanup song.

4:35–4:50

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy up for closing.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

Recap the day: "We became pirates and found treasure! What's the captain's signal?" Practice "ready… go!" once more to close.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Classrooms combine; calm play and warm handoffs to parents.

Day2
Tuesday
Maps & Clues
Read a simple map, follow a clue, and find the buried gold.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Quiet welcome until the Bigs room opens.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle — How to Read a Map

Show a big, simple picture map of the play yard with one X. Walk through it together: "The X is by the tree — where would we go?" Keep it to one or two landmarks. Today's job: a map tells us where, and we wait for the signal before we go.

A map is a treasure secret! X marks the spot. But even when we know where the gold is… we wait for the captain's GO.
8:50–9:00

Handwash / bathroom. Sunscreen + hats at the door.

9:00–9:30
Outdoor Play · Follow the Map (anchor)

Hide doubloons at one or two landmarks and give small groups a simple picture map. Children read the X, wait for your "go," then walk (not run) to dig. Reset and repeat so everyone gets turns. The waiting at the line is the whole game — celebrate the holding-still as loudly as the finding.

Materials — picture maps, doubloons, scoops, the captain's signal.

✦ Inhibitory Control today — "Wait for GO" has a clear finish line today. Name every child who holds the line: "You waited — that's strong pirate control."
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: a cluster of pirates studying a map, fingers pointing at the X.
X marks the spot! 🗺️ Today our crew learned to read treasure maps — and to wait for the captain's "GO" before racing off. That pause-and-wait is exactly the kind of self-control that helps big kids thrive. ⚓
9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Settle and refuel. Recap "what did the map tell us?" if the mood is right.

9:50–10:00

Handwash / bathroom. Into indoor blocks.

10:00–10:30
Craft · Build a Treasure Map

Each child makes their own treasure map — drawing a path, gluing on landmarks and a big X with mixed-media bits. Making a map deepens the "symbols mean places" idea and gives them a map to take home and re-hunt.

Materials — blank map/parchment paper, mixed-media bits, glue, crayons/markers.

10:30–10:50
Music & Movement · Pirate Walk & Freeze

Sing yesterday's songs, then "pirate walk to the treasure" — march on the music, freeze when it stops. Another joyful rep of stopping on a signal, set to the pirate soundtrack.

10:50–11:20
Centers / Free Choice

Add a "map table" to centers — children hide a toy and draw a map for a friend to find. Watch for the pretend-hunts that pop up on their own.

11:20–11:35

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:35–12:10
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, social meal.

12:10–12:25

Handwash / bathroom. Before heading out.

12:25–1:00
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — shaded and light. A slow "scout the yard" walk to spot landmarks for the map, or shade play. Shorten on a hot day.

1:00–3:00
Fixed
Quiet Time

Rest, books, soft music.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle transition back.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Manipulative · Map Symbols Match

Match picture cards (tree, ship, X) to spots on a simple board — a quiet game that reinforces "a symbol stands for a place," the heart of map-reading.

4:20–4:35

Cleanup & room reset. Everyone helps.

4:35–4:50

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy for closing.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

"What does X mean? What do we do before we run to it?" End on the wait-for-go win.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Calm combined play and warm handoffs.

Day3
Wednesday
Practice the Hunt
Real practice hunts — wait for the signal, take turns, share the gold.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Quiet welcome until the Bigs room opens.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle — Pirate Rules of the Hunt

Name the three crew rules together, with hand motions: wait for GO, take turns digging, leave gold for your mates. These are the rules we'll use on the big day. Practice "ready… go… freeze!" as a game.

Inhibitory Control · today's spotlight

This is the week's biggest self-control day. A practice hunt is a controlled rehearsal of the exact urges Friday will bring — the bolt, the grab, the "me first." Today they get to feel those urges and practice the brake, with you right there to coach and celebrate.

Keep naming it warmly: "You waited for GO." "You took one turn and stepped back." "You left some for your crew." Those three sentences, repeated, are the whole lesson.

8:50–9:00

Handwash / bathroom. Sunscreen + hats at the door.

9:00–9:30
Outdoor Play · Practice Hunts (anchor)

Run short practice hunts in small groups: line up, wait for "go," follow the clue, take turns digging, and stop when each pirate has found a few. Reset and rotate. It's not a race — everyone "wins" by following the three rules. You're a cheerful captain, narrating the self-control you see.

Materials — doubloons, a clue or two, scoops, the captain's signal, a cup per child for their "fair share."

✦ Inhibitory Control today — the "fair share" cup makes leaving-some-for-others concrete: fill your cup, then it's the next pirate's turn.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: pirates lined up at the "start line," holding still, waiting for the go signal.
Practice makes pirates! 🏴‍☠️ Today we rehearsed our treasure hunt — and the hardest, most important part is the waiting: wait for GO, take turns, and share the gold. So much self-control from our crew today. 💛
9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Settle after the active morning.

9:50–10:00

Handwash / bathroom. Into indoor blocks.

10:00–10:30
Craft · Treasure Chest

Children decorate their own treasure chest with jewels and sequins — the chest that will hold the gold they find Friday. A purposeful craft that builds anticipation and gives every pirate a place for their fair share.

Materials — a small box per child, jewels, sequins, glue.

10:30–10:50
Music & Movement · Red Light, Pirate Light

A pirate "Red Light, Green Light" — sail on green, freeze on red. The clearest, most joyful inhibitory-control game there is, dressed up as pirates heading for treasure.

10:50–11:20
Centers / Free Choice

Dramatic play becomes a pretend hunt — children take turns being the captain who calls "go." Watch who practices the rules without being asked.

11:20–11:35

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:35–12:10
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, social meal.

12:10–12:25

Handwash / bathroom. Before heading out.

12:25–1:00
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — shaded and light. Quiet shade games or a calm "rest at port." Keep it short on a hot day.

1:00–3:00
Fixed
Quiet Time

Rest, books, soft music.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle transition back.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Manipulative · Fill the Chest, Fairly

Take turns dropping a set number of jewels into a shared chest — a quiet game of "my turn, your turn" that rehearses the share-and-wait rule in a calm setting.

4:20–4:35

Cleanup & room reset. Everyone helps.

4:35–4:50

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy for closing.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

Recite the three rules together one more time. "We're almost ready for the big hunt!"

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Calm combined play and warm handoffs.

Day4
Thursday
Make the Map
The class builds the big treasure map for tomorrow — and readies the chests.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Quiet welcome until the Bigs room opens.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle — Our Class Map

Bring out the big blank poster. As a group, decide where the treasure will be hidden tomorrow and mark the path and the X together. Tomorrow we follow this map — so today we make it and remember it.

Tomorrow is the big hunt! Today, WE make the map. Where should the treasure be? Let's mark the path… and a big X.
8:50–9:00

Handwash / bathroom. Sunscreen + hats at the door.

9:00–9:30
Outdoor Play · Walk the Map & Test It (anchor)

Take the class map outside and walk the route together, matching each landmark on the paper to the real yard. Do one test hunt at the chosen spot — wait for "go," follow the path, find a doubloon — so tomorrow runs smoothly. Hold the excitement: tomorrow is the real thing.

Materials — the class map, a few doubloons, scoops, the captain's signal.

✦ Inhibitory Control today — the test hunt is a great "save it for tomorrow" moment — practicing patience with the big day so close is real self-control.
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: the class gathered around their hand-made map, or walking the route with it held high.
We made our treasure map! 🗺️⚓ The whole crew decided where the gold will hide and drew the path together — then walked it to test it out. Tomorrow's the big hunt. Decorated treasure chests are ready and waiting! 🏴‍☠️
9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

Settle; buzzing with anticipation is fine.

9:50–10:00

Handwash / bathroom. Into indoor blocks.

10:00–10:30
Craft · Pirate Patterns

A calmer, focused craft: children complete pirate pattern strips (hat, ship, coin, repeat). Holding a pattern in mind and finishing it is satisfying fine-motor work — and a nice change of pace before the big day.

Materials — Pirate Patterns worksheets, crayons or pattern stickers.

10:30–10:50
Music & Movement · The Whole Pirate Set

Run all the week's pirate songs and freeze-games in order — a dress rehearsal for tomorrow's soundtrack and one more joyful round of stop-on-the-signal.

10:50–11:20
Centers / Free Choice

Quiet, regulating centers to balance the big morning. Finish any treasure chests; offer the pretend hunt for those who want to keep rehearsing.

11:20–11:35

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:35–12:10
Fixed
Lunch

Calm, social meal.

12:10–12:25

Handwash / bathroom. Before heading out.

12:25–1:00
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — shaded and light. A calm "admire the map" moment or indoor movement on a hot day. No hunting yet — save it for tomorrow.

1:00–3:00
Fixed
Quiet Time

Rest, books, soft music.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle transition back.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Manipulative · Map Recap

A small-group game: rebuild the class map's path from memory with loose parts, then check it against the real one. A gentle close that readies them for tomorrow.

4:20–4:35

Cleanup & room reset. Protect the map and chests; tidy the rest.

4:35–4:50

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy for closing.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle

Walk through tomorrow together: "First we… then we wait for… then we…" Holding the plan overnight is its own quiet rep.

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Calm combined play and warm handoffs.

Day5
Friday
The Treasure Hunt
Follow the map, find the gold, fill the chest — and hold that beautiful self-control.
6:30–8:30

Combined arrival care. Quiet welcome — big-day energy is already building.

8:30–8:50
Opening Circle — It's Treasure Hunt Day!

Celebrate the moment. Review the class map and the three rules from memory: wait for GO, take turns, leave gold for your mates. Hand out the decorated chests. Build the excitement — and remind them the captain's GO is coming.

You made the map. You know the rules. Grab your chests, crew — today, we hunt for treasure! Remember: we wait for… GO!
8:50–9:00

Handwash / bathroom. Sunscreen + hats at the door — to the treasure!

9:00–9:30
Outdoor Play · The Treasure Hunt (anchor)

The big one. The crew lines up, holds for the captain's "ready… GO!", follows the class map to the X, and digs for the gold doubloons — taking turns and filling their chests with a fair share. Keep it joyful and well-paced; you're the celebrating captain, narrating every bit of waiting, turn-taking, and sharing you see. End all together with the chests held high and a big "Arrr!"

Materials — the class map, lots of doubloons pre-hidden, the decorated chests, scoops, the captain's signal, extra hands for supervision.

✦ Inhibitory Control today — the whole hunt is the assessment and the celebration. Name it big: "You waited for GO!" "You took turns!" "You shared the gold!"
📸 Brightwheel moment
Shot: the hunt in full swing — diggers mid-dig, plus a close-up of a chest full of gold held high.
🏴‍☠️✨ TREASURE FOUND! ✨🏴‍☠️ Our crew followed the map they made, waited for the captain's "GO," took turns digging, and filled their chests with gold — sharing every step of the way. A whole week of self-control, all paid off today. What a hunt! ⚓
9:30–9:50
Fixed
Morning Snack

A celebratory snack. Big feelings deserve a calm landing — and a chance to admire the gold.

9:50–10:00

Handwash / bathroom. Into indoor blocks.

10:00–10:30
Craft · Pirate Dot Paint

A calm, happy wind-down after the big hunt: a pirate-and-the-letter-"P" dot-paint page. Low-demand fine motor, a satisfying close, and a keepsake to send home with the gold.

Materials — pirate "P" dot-paint printouts, dot paint / bingo daubers.

10:30–10:50
Music & Movement · Pirate Party

Sing the full week's pirate songs one last time — a joyful, familiar celebration of a hunt well done.

10:50–11:20
Centers / Free Choice

Calm, open centers to decompress after the big morning. Let the pirate world live on in dramatic play for those who want it.

11:20–11:35

Handwash / bathroom. Wash up for lunch.

11:35–12:10
Fixed
Lunch

A happy, social meal — let them retell the hunt.

12:10–12:25

Handwash / bathroom. Before heading out.

12:25–1:00
Outdoor Activity / Play (hot window)

Peak heat — light and shaded. Quiet free play while the gold is tidied, or indoor movement on a hot day.

1:00–3:00
Fixed
Quiet Time

A well-earned rest after a big week.

3:00–3:30

Wake-up · handwash / bathroom. Gentle transition back.

3:30–3:50
Fixed
Afternoon Snack

Refuel.

3:50–4:20
Manipulative · Free Choice

Open, quiet manipulatives — child's choice. A low-demand end to a high-energy week.

4:20–4:35

Cleanup & room reset. Gather and count the gold; everyone helps.

4:35–4:50

Handwash / bathroom. Tidy for closing.

4:50–5:00
Closing Circle — Crew in Review

Celebrate the hunt and, especially, the waiting and sharing that made it work. "What will you tell your grown-up about the treasure?" Send them off proud (and with their gold).

5:00–6:00

Combined Active Engagement — Departure. Calm combined play; share the treasure-hunt photos and stories at warm handoffs.

One guide, one week, one classroom. This is the Bigs (3.5–5) plan for Pirates — The Treasure Hunt. The Littles and Toddlers run the same theme scaled to their age — switch rooms in the menu up top. Pair it with the General Planning Guide for the principles behind the plan. Prints cleanly, one day per sheet.