Lesson Plan: Traditional Pirates vs. Modern Pirates: Why are there pirates in Somalia?

Name: Erin McGinnisClass Subject: 6th grade World Geography/History (Africa Unit)Date: 2/19/13 Student Objective/Student Outcome: Students will be able: to differentiate between stereotypical/traditional pirate and the more modern/Somalia pirate; to understand why piracy still exists today; to reflect upon the role of government (or lack of) and its impact on existence of Somalia pirates; to explain the motives behind becoming a pirate; to use the “Exit Slip” as a way to assess their comprehension and critical analysis skills of such a controversial topic. By using different strategies such as comparing video clips, text, and a final writing question, students should be able to form an educated opinion on pirates, especially in Somalia. Content Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7 Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.8 Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.

Materials/Resources/Technology: YouTube POTC clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQf-zYn5TJE, Video from New York Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/world/africa/01pirates.html, Venn Diagram worksheet; Exit slip handout

Teacher’s Goals: I only have 36 minutes so I want to be able to engage in a thoughtful and educated discussion with the help of the Venn diagram and research from the previous week. With the videos, class discussion, group work, and exit writing slip, I hope to include all types of strategies for students to grasp the concept of why pirates still exist in Somalia today.

Time:5 minutes Start of Class: Ask the class to get out a piece of paper to make a nametag

for their desks. Instead of pointing at students during discussion we want to be able to say their names (since this is the first time teaching these students).

- Prompt class by showing the YouTube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQf-zYn5TJE

3-5 minutes Introduction of Lesson:- What comes to mind when you hear the word “pirate?”- Write hot topic words on the board for reference- Traditional Pirate vs. Modern Day Pirate- Include a few examples of what a modern pirate looks like to get

them thinking

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5-8 minutes

10 minutes

7 minutetotal= ~25 minutes

Lesson Instruction:- Venn Diagram: Traditional Pirates vs. Modern Pirates: Somalia

o Discussion from “pirate” definition from beginning of class will help students get it started

o General knowledge of piracy and critical thinking skills in applying that to present day will get students to come up with examples for Modern, even if they don’t think they don’t know much about it

o Also focus on the similarities between the typeso Groups of no more than 3

- Class Discussiono Use Venn diagram as guidance for discussiono What are the similarities? Differences?o What do they know about Somalia? It’s pirates?o Why did they start? Who are the players?o What is the role of the government? How does this affect the

laws and daily life of Somalia citizens?o For money? Food? Weapons? To kill?

- Show New York Times clip from this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/world/africa/01pirates.html,

Assessment/Checks for Understanding:- See how first hour goes with timing for Venn diagram and

discussion- For discussion, lecture and question them equally

o Facilitate a broader view of piracy in terms of economics, survival, etc.

o However, do not justify piracy.- See what they have to say in the exit slip as a way to gauge their

understanding based on class discussion & the New York Times video

Closure/Wrap up/Review: - Exit slip asking them to read this quote and answer the following

question:o "We don't consider ourselves sea bandits. We consider sea

bandits those who illegally fish in our seas and dump waste in our seas and carry weapons in our seas. We are simply patrolling our seas. Think of us like a coast guard."—Pirate interviewed by New York Times

o Why do you think there are still pirates today in 2013?Self-Assessment:

- If I have control of the class, it means they are hopefully paying attention

- Are our questions too hard/too easy for the students?o Are they too obvious or do they make them think deeper

about the real issue of pirates based on student participation?- Exit slips—what is the extent of their knowledge?

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