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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Avast ye mateys - Learning about Blackbeard the Pirate

Using both print and internet sources, students will explore a collection of information associated with pirates and Blackbeard, in conjunction with their studies of North Carolina History. Students will explore and read a variety of books from the library and will access a controlled collection of websites regarding Blackbeard the Pirate within to complete a Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger Hunt can be completed as a group in the computer lab, or independently on classroom computers.

A lesson plan for grade 4 Information Skills and Social Studies

By Kathy Beck

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Related pages

  • Blackbeard: The most feared pirate of the Atlantic: Students will acquire information about Blackbeard through primary resources and apply their knowledge to create a newspaper article concerning his life.
  • Historic Bath: Read about the archaeological excavation at Bonner's Point, Bath co-founder John Lawson, Cary's Rebellion, the Tuscarora War, Blackbeard, and Bath legends. Look at historic images, maps, and video describing the history of Bath.
  • North Carolina Maritime Museum: Students will learn about the rich maritime history of the North Carolina coast as well as the coastal environment and barrier island ecology.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • access on-line scavenger hunt.
  • identify key words in questions and skim websites for key words to answer questions.
  • correctly navigate between the scavenger hunt and each site.
  • read and assimilate information regarding pirates and copy and paste correct answers from the linked sites to the scavenger hunt, to expand their knowledge of pirates and Blackbeard. Scavenger Hunt also links to a slide show of artifacts collected from the Queen Anne’s Revenge for student viewing.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 hour

Materials/resources

We pulled books from the library referencing pirates. These were placed in the classroom for supplemental independent reading before and after completion of the Scavenger Hunt. Some of these were:

Technology resources

Computer with Internet Access

Pre-activities

  • Students study the history of North Carolina, during the period, prior to and during colonization and the 1700’s.
  • Students have prior knowledge regarding word processing skills on how to copy and paste. (Students may opt to type in the information)
  • Students also have prior knowledge using the Back button to navigate from the Internet site back to the Scavenger Hunt.

Activities

  1. Demonstrate how to answer a question by identifying key words in the question and skimming the passage for those key words.
  2. Give students a copy of the Scavenger Hunt questions in advance. Have students highlight the key words in each question that they will use to guide their search for answers.
  3. Review how to click on a link to connect to the Internet page with the information in question.
  4. Review how to copy the information needed to answer the question, and or allow for remembering the information and typing it into the scavenger hunt.
  5. Review how to click on Back one time to get back to the Scavenger Hunt.
  6. Review how to paste the information into the Scavenger Hunt. (Since these are all previously taught skills at our school, this requires only a review. If this is not the case for your students, a pre-lesson on copy and paste in word processing may be required.)
  7. In the computer lab, as a group, or independently on classroom computers, have students access the scavenger hunt Avast ye Mateys on the Mulberry Street School website. Have students use the list of questions and highlighted key words to guide their search for answers.

Assessment

  • Highlighted key words.
  • Rubric for scoring, attached.
  • Informally assess and check to see if answers on scavenger hunt are correct.

Supplemental information

Attachments:

Related websites

Avast ye Mateys, from the Mulberry Street School website

Comments

This plan was created to correlate with activities taught in fourth grade, but could be used independently and by other grades.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Information Skills (2000)

Grade 4

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
    • Objective 1.08: Select and use independently, both within and outside the school, a variety of resources (print, non-print, electronic) and formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia) to extend content of resources used.
  • Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 4

  • Goal 3: The learner will trace the history of colonization in North Carolina and evaluate its significance for diverse people's ideas.
    • Objective 3.02: Identify people, symbols, events, and documents associated with North Carolina's history.

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 4

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 2.07: Recognize, discuss, and use proper keyboarding techniques. Strand - Keyboard Utilization/Word Processing/Desk Top Publishing
    • Objective 2.12: Plan, discuss, and use search strategies with two or more criteria to find information online about North Carolina as a class/group. Strand - Telecommunications/Internet
  • Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.
    • Objective 3.07: Locate, select, organize, and present content area information from the Internet for a specific purpose and audience, citing sources. Strand - Telecommunications/Internet