For the whole of KS2 or KS1
The captain in early 18th century privateer who can tell exciting tales about Sea Rovers, Buccaneers and Pirates. He sets up very motivated literacy work, which (as I am a historian) is built around an accurate portrayal of historical piracy, using historical accounts rather than more modern, fictional stories and films.
The day is formatted to allow work with several classes - the whole junior school, or the infants, or (if your school is not too large) the entire school. There are two assemblies, one at the start and one at the end of the day, with story-telling sessions with each group (either a year group or a class) in between. Each group is given one or more literacy tasks to do, which they work on during the day while I am with the other groups, then show to everyone else at the plenary assembly. These tasks can link with, or bring out the skills developed during, a variety of DfES Primary Framework for Literacy units (see below).
IntroductionWe start with an assembly (45 minutes approx.) for all the children in which I introduce myself to everyone, and ask what they know of pirates. This leads to some banter and demonstration. Then I ask the children if they will do some work for me, for I am about to set off 'cruising on the account' and need a crew, ship's articles, a sea shanty to sing, a new jolly roger, tall tales of pirates to while away the hours at sea, etc. |
Literacy TasksWe select from the following list, perhaps choosing different tasks for different groups, or several tasks for each (to give them plenty to do)...Advertisement for a crew I need pirates, so I want posters to go around the port in typpling houses, taverns and inns. These must persuade sailors to join the cruise, promising rewards and specifying what kind of men I want. During the assembly I give ideas about what might be included in this advertisement. This would re-visit nicely the DfES Year 5 Non Fiction unit 3 (Persuasive Writing) and the Year 4 Non Fiction unit 4 (Persuasive Texts). Ship's Articles (Rules for Pirate Behaviour) My crew need to sign their names to these, and then obey them on the journey. They must cover such things as behaviour aboard ship, punishments, rewards, compensations for injuries, and so on (just like historical pirate articles). This could re-visit the lessons learned during the Year 3 Non Fiction unit 2 (Instructions) and/or Year 6 Revision unit 2 (Reading and Writing Non-Fiction). Tales of Daring Do What better to entertain the crew with than tales of piratical deeds? They might emulate such stories, learn a little of pirate tricks, fight more bravely for their captain. This can link with the Year 3 Narrative units 2 and 3 (Myths and Legends, Adventure and Mystery) and/or Year 4 Narrative unit 1 (Stories with Historical Settings) and/or Year 6 Narrative unit 1 (Fiction Genres). A Ballad A stirring ditty to sing as we work the ship, or when carousing and passing the time off watch. If the children write it as a poem we can come up with a tune for it later (or they might choose to set it to the tune of "What shall we do with a Drunken Sailor", so that they can indeed sing it at the plenary!) This work reflects the Year 6 Poetry unit 1 (The Power of Imagery) and/or Year 5 Poetry unit 3 (Choral and Performance) and/or Year 4 Poetry unit 1 (Creating Images). A New Jolly Roger! I am not so sure my own skull and cross bones flag is sufficiently frightening to subdue my prey, so I ask the children (after describing some other pirates' flags) to design me a new one - a terrifying image suitable for pirates. A Wanted Poster! I might ask for a sketch of me, perhaps to go with the advertisement. During the group sessions with me, I could pose for a few minutes to allow the children to make a start on this. They can then complete it later. The teacher can leave this task as it is, or could add an extra element by turning it into a wanted poster - so that the Royal Navy and the East India Company will know who to look out for! During the plenary I can be shocked by this, but then brush it off with swaggering bravado and say that I would not be a proper pirate if there weren't such a thing as a wanted poster about me! |
Storytelling SessionsI meet each group individually - year groups or classes, depending on your numbers - and tell them lots of short tales about famous pirates - Morgan, L'Ollonois, Blackbeard etc. I also answer all their questions, and talk more about ships, weapons, navigation, diseases, capturing prizes and boarding prizes, etc. This involves demonstration of more of the things I have brought with me. |
Plenary AssemblyWe gather again at the end of the day so that the teachers can choose examples of good work to be shown or read out to everyone at end of day. Then I bid everyone farewell and take my leave! |
Note: If you wanted to have a 'pirate dressing up day' I would advise doing it AFTER my visit, as the children's excitement levels would probably get a bit too high if they were dressed (and armed) whilst a pirate was visiting!
Thank you cards from Year 1 children
Teachers' Comments from 2008 school visits
"What a fantastic day. The children have been captivated by your stories - how do you remember it all? The children have been engaged all day and produced a wide variety of work. I am really looking forward to their stories - you have fired their imaginations." [Mrs C. Otto, Teacher, Whitecliffe Primary School]
"A fabulous day for staff and children! It has provided a great stimuli for writing for children of all age groups." [Jade Gartside, Teacher, Ingram Road Primary School]
"A fantastically organised and stimulating day, turning the fictional into the very real." [Katherine Smith, Teacher, Greenmount Primary School, Beeston]