Pirates: Fact or Fiction?

Goals:

To facilitate students understanding of what pirates are and to prove they really did and do exist.

To discuss the different myths the students have about pirates as compared to what the documentary discusses.

Content Areas:

Social Studies - a historical and current event activities on pirates.

Language Arts - journal writing.

Materials:

Documentary on Pirates
 
Discovery Channel - Write or email for copy http://www.discovery.com/

Traditional pirate costume

Procedure: (2 hours)

1) Before class, the teacher should dress up as a typical (traditional) pirate.

2) Walk into class and ask the students who and what they think you are.

3) This should lead into a discussion of pirates and whether or not students think they are real or myths. Then ask whether or not pirates are still a problem.

4) Play the documentary on past and present pirates.

5) Ask the students to write in their journals about how their ideas on pirates have changed.

Assessment:

In order for students to develop an understanding of what pirates are, they need to participate in the discussion and actively watch the video. Criteria for success: See discussion and participation rubric. The students must also discuss in their journal the different myths they had about pirates as compared to what the documentary discusses. Criteria for success: Students discussed at least two ideas that had been changed (or not) by the discussion and video.

Extensions:

After watching the documentary, ask students to write a formal essay explaining their definition of a pirate.

 This page was submitted by St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program