Modern pirates
Pirates have become a serious problem in some parts
of the world. So how do modern day pirates compare
with historical ones?
EPISODE 10
Focus Questions
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Summarise the BtN pirates story.
In your own words, describe a modern day pirate.
Where have pirates been causing problems recently?
What effect are they having on the shipping industry?
Briefly describe the situation in Somalia.
Why did Somali fishermen turn to piracy?
Describe the impact pirates are having on Somalia.
What solutions to the problem are being suggested?
Think of three adjectives to describe modern day pirates.
How has your thinking about pirates changed since watching the BtN story?
Pirates and piracy
5TH MAY 2009
Learning Area
Society and
Environment
Key learning
Students will
develop an
understanding of
historical and
modern day pirates
and piracy.
Students will create an information report about historical and modern day pirates
and piracy. To establish what students already know, ask them to create a
concept/mind map about pirates/piracy and record what they know about the topic.
Students will be adding to their map as they go through the inquiry process. The
map will also help them to develop headings for their information report. Key
issues to consider in their research include:

The history of piracy (including the Golden Age)

Compare the motivations of modern day pirates with historical pirates.

Places in the world where piracy is a problem

The economic and social impact of piracy countries (for example, Somalia)
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Strategies to deal with piracy
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Role of organisations to stop piracy
When students have completed their research, discuss the purpose, structure and
features of an information report. Use the following as a guide to use with students.
Purpose
An information report provides information to the reader by stating facts.
Structure
© ABC 2009
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Introduction - the opening statement explains the subject of the report, and includes
a definition or short description. Students need to define what a pirate/piracy is.
Description – the body of the report is a series of paragraphs giving information
about pirates and piracy.
Conclusion – a summary of what has been said.
Language features
Present tense
Technical words
Written in the third person
Encourage students to publish their report in a format they haven’t used before.
Further investigations
Research symbols associated with pirates or piracy. Reproduce or recreate the symbols
and display them in an interesting way.
Create a fact sheet about female pirates. The following website has a number of useful
links http://www.katyberry.com/Dorianne/links.html
 Related Research Links
ABC Foreign Correspondent – Pirateland
http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2009/s2551079.htm
BBC News – Q & A: Somali piracy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7734985.stm
International Maritime Organization – Piracy and armed robbery against ships
http://www.imo.org/home.asp?topic_id=1178
ICC Commercial Crime Services
http://www.icc-ccs.org/
Pirates and Privateers: The history of maritime piracy
http://www.cindyvallar.com/piratelinks.html
© ABC 2009