Saturday, April 27, 2013

Pirates vs. Cowboys, Learning & Laughing


Pirates vs. Cowboys brought some old fashioned fun to the speech room this week. My students have been in love with Aaron Reynolds’ storytelling talents ever since I read his book Creepy Carrots last October. This latest book has further established his place in their hearts. And the kids loved David Barneda’s engaging illustrations, especially the expressive pirate crab and cowboy cactus.

Pirates vs. Cowboys

When Burnt Beard, the Pirate, swaggered into Old Cheyenne, the pirate-cowboy showdown began (and so did the student-giggles.) The kids had a hard time deciphering what those rascally pirates and cantankerous cowboys were trying to say to one another. It was no wonder that cowboy Black Bob McKraw didn’t realize he was not being insulted when Burnt Beard said,

 “Ahoy there, me hearties! Be ye knowin’ where we’d be findin’ a fair scrub and a swish?”

Black Bob rode up real close to Burnt Beard. “What’d you call us, ya yellow-bellied varmints?” was Black Bob’s reply. “Why don’t ya mangy hornswogglers beat a trail of dust right back out of Old Cheyenne!”

My students couldn’t figure out what those colorful characters were trying to say but they laughed at the sound of these words and then took a guess at their meaning.  We had a nice conversation about communication and the importance of the words we use.  When I read,

None of them cowboys spoke Pirate, and none of them pirates spoke Cowboy! And that’s a recipe for trouble.

Joden called out, “None of those cowboys.” And after listening to,

“You rootin’-tootin’ critters better head fer the hills, or yer gonna get horsewhipped and hogtied like there’s no tomorrow!”

Haley said, “That means get out pirates!”

This story may not model appropriate grammar or typical vocabulary but it inspired my students to notice both and it opened a good discussion on communication.  It also inspired some creative endeavors. In a kindergarten group, one student dictated his own story, full of thieving pirates, stolen animals, and a treasure – one puppy, bright gold, the color of a gold-covered chocolate coin. 

I asked a group of first grade students to replace “pirates” and “cowboys” with different characters and we had an enthusiastic brainstorming session. Before long, they began creating their own stories. Zayd told a tale of Ninja vs. Robots, Madisyn started one about Ballerinas vs. Fairies, and Joden (ever the comedian) began a tale of a Dog-person vs. Cheetah – “a big one doing the happy dance.” I’m curious to see how that one comes out. Actually, I’m curious to see how they all come out; they are off to a good start. I feel privileged to see such creative minds at work and to have the opportunity to introduce them to a good story, like Aaron Reynolds, Pirates vs. Cowboys.

12 comments:

  1. This sounds like a blast! Kids are inspirational matey....I mean pardner! Arrrgh!

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  2. Jeanette!

    So glad my book has been a hit with your kids and an inspiration for awesome discussion. Thanks for taking it and running with it in cool directions. Books are meant to teach AND inspire, and you are using them to do both! Kudos!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Aaron. And thanks for stopping by. My students love your books!

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  3. Oh going to see if the library carries this...Dinosaur would love this. Thanks for sharing. Stopping by from the Kid Lit Blog Hop...have a great day

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    1. Thanks for dropping in. This book is a fun read-aloud. I think you'll enjoy it.

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  4. Cute story, and I love your use of it in the classroom!

    Tales of a Bookworm
    Kid Lit Blog Hop

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  5. If a book inspires that much creativity then it is a hit in my book and Creepy Carrots is on our birthday list for Gigi but I confess it may be for parent more than child lol. Thanks for linking in to the Kid Lit Blog Hop, great to have you on board. Cheers Julie Grasso

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    1. My students are still talking about Creepy Carrots and we read it last October!

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  6. What a fun book! This is right up our alley with trying on different personas when we read books. Another great selection for the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Thanks for joining us once again! :)

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