Scotland and Pirates

Goals:

  1. The students will use various resources to learn more about pirates and the Scottish people's customs, culture and history.
  2. The students will understand how people live from a different part of the world.
  3. The students will work individually and cooperatively with other students to complete a project.

Resources and Materials:

  1. Multiple copies of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. Adapted by Bob Blaisdell. (Dover Publications, 1996)
  2. An Internet directory of clan names can be found at:
  3. Information regarding the Campbell clan can be found on the Internet at:
  4. Information regarding the Shaw Clan can be found on the Internet at:
  5. Information regarding the Stuart/Stewart clan can be found on the Internet at:
  6. Encyclopedias and other resource books on pirates and Scotland
  7. World and Scotland maps
  8. Paper
  9. Pencils or Pens
  10. Rulers
  11. Tape or glue
  12. Paint, markers, crayons or colored construction paper
  13. Cardboard and other recycled items (E.g. - plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, egg cartons, etc.)
  14. Resources regarding the Scottish Clans and pirates can be found as an attachment with the Scottish Clan Project and the Pirate Project.

 

Time:

Not counting the time it will take to read Kidnapped, this lesson will require between 14 and 22.5 hours of class room time, depending on the number of groups and the availability of resources. Steps two and three require 1 to 1.5 hours. Steps four through seven need 1 to 2 hours of class time. Step eight will take between 10 and 15 hours and step nine needs 2 to 4 hours of class time.

Procedure:

  1. Read Kidnapped.
  2. Lead a discussion of Kidnapped, pointing out the various Scottish clan names and the pirates (Hosean).
  3. Introduce the team projects on pirates and Scottish clans to the students. (This information is included at the end of the lesson under Scottish Clan Project and Pirate Project.)
  4. Divide students into cooperative teams of five or six.
  5. Each team will decide which project it will do. (Two teams work on the pirate project and the remaining teams work on the Scottish clanproject.)
  6. Give each team member a copy of the information he/she will need to complete the team project.
  7. Each group will produce a calendar showing when each member's tasks will be accomplished.
  8. The students will be allowed class time to do a library and computer research for their team's project. Also, class time should also be given to the students to organize their research into a well thought presentation.
  9. The students will present their team projects to the class.

 

Assessment:

  1. Each team must turn in a map. (Criteria for success - Each team must correctly identify 85% of the information required. The maps should have a well-defined key where each symbol is clearly represented and labeled. The maps must have the criteria in the procedure 90% clearly labeled. (See the procedure for the Scottish Project and the Pirate Project for each team's specific needs.))
  2. Each team must turn in a three page history of their topic (E.g. - Scottish clans or pirates). (Criteria for success - Each paper must average a 3 on the four criteria scale, a 2 on the three criteria scale and a 2 on the two criteria scale to be considered successful.)
  3. Each team must turn in a display of their specific topic (E.g. - Scottish clans or pirates). (Criteria for success - Each team must have a display including 85% of the required information.) See Procedure #3 From the Scottish Project or Pirate Project.
  4. Each team member must turn in an individual project. (Criteria for success - One completed individual project from the list that contains the criteria for that project.) See procedure four from the Scottish Project or Pirate Project.
  5. Each team member must turn in a journal. (Criteria for success - Students must have seven reflective journal entries.)
  6. Every team must submit an evaluation of the contribution of every member of the team. (Criteria for success - See the Team Member Assessment Rubric. Each team member must receive a 2 on the two criteria scale and a 3 on the four criteria scale.)

 

Curricular Strands and Major Concepts:

  1. Language Arts - Reading materials for research, writing, speaking and listening.
  2. Math - Using ratios and proportions to make map to scale.
  3. Social Studies - Learn about Scottish customs, culture and history. Learn about pirates including history and life.

 

Possible Extensions:

  1. Talk to a ship captain about life at sea.
  2. Discuss modern day pirates and piracy.
  3. Talk to a person who has visited or lived in Scotland. Invite them to share their experiences with the class.

Go to:

Scottish Clan Project

Pirate Project

Schedule and Summary of Lessons

Lesson Plans List