The Pirate Code (Real Pirates)

This lesson, “The Pirate Code,” is a comprehensive, evidence-based learning (EBL) resource designed for KS2 pirates exploring pirate stories and the social dynamics aboard pirate ships. The lesson focuses on understanding the Pirate Code—a set of rules pirates had to follow—through activities that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and independent learning.

Key components of the lesson include:

1. Background on Pirates and the Pirate Code: Pupils learn the historical context of pirates, the need for a code of conduct, and the unique consequences pirates faced if they broke the code.

2. Collaborative Thinking Skills Activity: Encourages pupils to work in pairs to discuss the importance of specific pirate rules, such as maintaining clean weapons and forbidding fights among crew members.

3. Higher and Lower Order Questions: Pupils engage with a range of question types, from comprehension to analysis, helping them to understand both the practical and ethical reasons behind the Pirate Code.

4. Metacognitive Reflection: Includes a “metacognitive thinking activity” where pupils reflect on which questions they found easier and why, promoting self-awareness in their learning process.

5. Independent Learning and Peer Assessment Activities: Pupils complete individual tasks like labelling parts of a galleon (a type of ship associated with pirates) and engage in peer assessment, discussing with a partner to compare answers and refine their understanding.

6. Teacher CPD (Continuing Professional Development): A five-minute CPD section for teachers introduces metacognition, offering tips to support pupils’ reflective thinking and strategies for integrating metacognitive questioning in the classroom.

Each EBL skill is clearly marked with unique icons, making it easy for both pupils and teachers to identify the focus of each activity. This lesson is ideal for fostering deeper engagement with historical content while building essential learning skills through structured reflection and peer interaction.