Improvisation:

• Get straight into the topic by showing the children a picture of an old-fashioned ship and moving, swaying as if you're on board.

• Encourage them to come onto the ship with you; 'I'm on a ship! Come on. Come with me! All aboard, all aboard!' (Note: you can throw in some fun language such as 'all aboard'. The children will not be confused if you have already set the scene and this encourages their passive comprehension and develops their imagination).

• You could mark out the boundaries of the ship by using chairs. Hold onto the backs of the chairs and sway and move as if you are all travelling across the waves.

• Point to the sails of the ships on your picture and mime hoisting them up. Get a rhythm going as you do so and chant (for example) 'Heave ho, heave ho!'

• Now show the children a picture of a desert island. Say 'Look!' We're going to an island.' (You can of course, ask the children to make suggestions for where you are going and follow their lead. Here I am suggesting that you lead the improvisation to begin with).