Ahoy Matey!! Pirate Wanted Posters

Class Time: 3 x 45 minute classes
Subject Areas: visual arts, language arts
Grade Level: 5 to 7

Rationale:
Students will research and create "wanted" pirate posters. They will include researched information about a specific pirate, their ship and any other interesting information.

Classroom setup

• Have students work in groups sharing supplies and ideas

Materials

• Pencils, pencil crayons, large size white paper or Bristol board, tea, markers, rulers

Suggested Resources

• Pictures of pirate ships and pirates


• Read to the class several pirate stories found at www.atlantictallships.ca in the Sea Chest section, or show a short clip from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean


• On the Internet, do a keyword search for "pirates info fact and legend" and access to http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/ Another site can be found by doing the keyword search "National Maritime Museum pirate fact file" and accessing http://www.nmm.ac.uk.


• Different objects that a pirate might use (e.g. pirate hat, flag, eye patch, etc.)


• Word search and definition sheet attached


• Superb images of pirates can be found in Botting, Douglas. The Pirates (The Seafarers; v.1). Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books, 1978. ISBN 0-8094-2652-8.

Objectives:
As a result of this lesson, learners will:

• Become familiar with language used to describe pirates


• Research a topic on the internet and use the information to create an informative poster

Introduction:

Class 1:
Students will be introduced to images of pirates and pirate ships, and a story of a pirate or a short clip from Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Different objects that are associated with pirates will be introduced and discussed with the class. Guide students through a discussion on pirates:
What do we know about pirates?
What are the stereotypes associated with pirates (appearance, lifestyle, manner, walking the plank, buried treasure, etc.)?
Who were the people that pirates robbed?
What happened to finish off the pirates? Are there pirates today on the oceans?
Why is a privateer NOT a pirate?

Direct the students to research the lives of a few well-known pirates in history (examples: Anne Bonny, Peter Easton, Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Mary Read, 'Calico' Jack Rackham). How do the real life pirates compare to the stereotypes that were first discussed in the class?

For homework, students will be introduced to language used to describe pirates through the pirate word search and definition sheet included in this lesson. The class can discuss what and how these words are used to describe pirates. Students will research their pirate information in the school computer lab on the Internet, or at home and use the pirate definition sheet supplied as a resource.

Performance/Activity:

Class 2:
Students will create their pirate posters, which will be based on their research. Students can include the following: an image of their pirate, the ship that this pirate sailed on, why they are wanted (e.g. piracy), what the reward is, where they were last seen sailing, different places the pirate has been known to travel, any pets, etc.

Class 3:
Students will complete their posters by adding colour to the image. Tea stains may be added to create an aged look to the poster. Posters can be shared and displayed in the room. As a conclusion, students can discuss the different pirates and map out regions that these pirates explored on the classroom map.

Extension of Ideas:

• Students could create treasure maps indicating where lost treasure may have been hidden by their pirate.
  
• Students could create a short skit or play to represent the travels of their pirate.


• Students could dress up as pirates to present their posters to the class

Evaluation approaches:

• Students can be evaluated on their unique and informative poster creation.


• Students can be evaluated on their Internet research and sources that they listed in their bibliography.