Pirates

A set of literacy activities for P3

2020Niddrie Mill Primary School

Mr Charlton

Dear parents and carers,

Our topic in class this term was going to be, Under the Sea. The following activities are all about the pirates that sailed over the seas.This set of reading and writing tasks could be completed independently or with some help from an adult. Most primary 3 pupils will need a little support.There is no need to do them all, but hopefully you will find them fun and challenging.Please contact us if you have any questions about the activities or need guidance in supporting your child to complete them.

Mr Charlton, Mrs Miller and Miss Paterson

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PiratesDo you think of pirates as dangerous, bearded men?Most pirates were men, but there were a few women pirates.They didn’t have beards, but they were just as good at sailing, fighting and stealing as any other pirate.Here’s the story of two of these wicked ladies.Sadie the Goat was an American pirate who set sail in 1869. Her ship proudly flew the Jolly Roger flag as it sailed American waters in search of posh riverside houses to rob, and rich people to kidnap.Before becoming a pirate, she was a street fighter and it was her signature head-butt move that earned her the nick name, “The Goat”. In one of her fights her ear was bitten off, so she pickled it and kept it in a locket around her neck for the rest of her life.Back From the Dead Red was a French pirate who sailed the seas 400 years ago. She became a pirate after her parents died, leaving her to look after her disabled brother. There was no work to be found so she decided to get money by stealing it from the rich. Red was a brave, fierce woman who terrified all that met her. She believed that women were equal to men and would fight and often kill any man who didn’t agree with her. She even set up a pirate island where men and women were treated the same.

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After lots of adventures, Red became a wanted woman and was hunted down. To escape capture, she faked her own death and went into hiding disguised as a man. A few years later, Red returned to piracy and became known as, Back From the Dead Red.

Comprehension (Spicy)

1. Which three things were female pirates good at?

2. Which country did Sadie come from?

3. What was Sadie before she became a pirate?

4. What happened to one of Sadie’s ears?

5. How long ago did Red live?

6. Who did Red steal from?

7. What was special about Red’s island?

8. What did Red disguise herself as?

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SadieComprehension (Hot)

1. Why do you think most pirates were men?

2. Why was Sadie called, “The Goat”?

3. Why do you think Sadie kept her bitten off ear?

4. Do you think Red was right to become a pirate? Why?

5. Would you have wanted to live on Red’s island if you were a pirate? Why?

6. Why do you think Red went back to being a pirate?

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7. Which one of these pirates is your favourite? Why?

8. Do you think female pirates were braver than male ones? Why?

RedVocabulary – Wow Words (Spicy and

Hot)

Up-level these sentences by changing the boring underlined word to a Wow Word (or words). Only write the up-levelled sentence.Here’s an example -Sadie the Goat had a nice ear-ring. This could be changed to -Sadie the Goat had a shiny golden ear-ring.

Red’s eyes were nice. Henry Morgan was a bad pirate. Calico Jack had a nice ship. Blackbeard was a bad man. Charles Vane had a nice wooden leg.

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William Kidd had a bad scar on his cheek. Henry Avery married a nice lady. Black Bart died of a bad disease. Ned Lowe had a nice sword. Christopher Moody smelled bad. Samuel Bellamy said he kissed a nice mermaid.

Jolly Roger Flag

Connectives (Spicy and Hot)

Complete each of these sentences by giving them an interesting or exciting ending. Make sure your ending is right for the connective.

1. Blackbeard screamed in pain because…

2. Henry Morgan had a wooden leg but…

3. Calico Jack grabbed me and…

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4. William Kidd jumped into the sea because…

5. Charles Vane took my treasure but…

6. Henry Avery opened the treasure chest and…

7. Ned Lowe was scared because…8. Sadie the Goat smiled at me

but…9. Red grabbed the man and…10. Black Bart set fire to his boat

because…11. Christopher Moody saw my ship

but…12. Samuel Bellamy saw a mermaid

and…

BlackbeardWriting – 1 – Island Tour (Spicy and Hot)

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Map of pirate island1 - Pirate Port 2 – Death Rock 3 – Misty Mountains4 – Loch Kraken 5 – Tomb of the Lost Pirate6 – Deadman Hills 7 – Forest of Ravens 8 – Stinking Swamp 9 – Camp Torment 10 – Well of Misery

Write a tour guide of Pirate Island. Start at Pirate Port then follow the numbers around the island, describing each landmark and its history. The tour has been started for you, so copy and complete. If you have your own ideas for a pirate island, draw your own island map and write a tour of that instead.

1 – Pirate Port. We start at this ancient port where many pirates have landed their treasure filled boats.2 – Death Rock. This creepy stone is shaped like a skull and is said to be cursed by Evil Ed, the first pirate to bury treasure on this island. 3 – Misty Mountains.

Writing – 2 (Spicy and Hot)

Treasure Chest

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Imagine you are a pirate with a chest full of treasure.Where would you bury your treasure on this island?Write a pirate treasure story.Use this series of questions to help plan your story.

How did you get your treasure? Why did you choose to stop at this island? How many people are with you and who are they?

Describe your crew. What did you see on the island? Describe any

places, animals or people you saw. Where did you bury your treasure chest? Why are you hiding it? When do you plan to come back for it?

Now draw a treasure map to help you find it when you return to dig it up.

Poster Design (Mild, Spicy and Hot)

Posters need to grab your attention. They do this with large headings and bright pictures to catch your eye.Make sure your posters have a clear heading that could be seen from a distance and bright pictures that make people stop and look.

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Design a wanted poster for a pirate.Include –

A picture of the wanted pirate. The name of this pirate. What they have done to become wanted. How much the reward is.

Design a poster for an exhibition of pirate treasure.Include –

A picture of some of the treasure. Where the exhibition is. How much it costs to get in.

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