What would you say?

[shadoes]

Okay you have 30 minutes at a childrens event to discuss the life of pirates. Basically showing the difference between the Hollywood image and reality. What facts would you work in?

I actually am in the process of putting a presentation like this together and could use all the help I can get :)

[HildeKitten]

I think the biggest misconceptions that children have is the appearance of pirates.

So it's probably best to tell them that.

[shadoes]

That is in fact number one on the list :)

[Patrick Hand]

Treasure maps (Robert Louis Stevenson) and walking the plank (Pyrates just threw people overboard).....

I don't know if you'd want to get too heavy on the fact that real Pyrates were murders and thugs, tho.....

Maybe discuss what life was like on a ship, and why a sailor would turn Pyrate.....

[Silkie McDonough]

What might turn a sailor to Pyracy.

Why would a man live that life for long? Did man stay in the life of a pirate or did they leave it? Could they leave it?

What is the difference between a Pirate and a Privateer?

What age are these kids?

[hurricane]

We do these talks all the time. What you say is very dependent on the age of the audience. What's the age range?

-- Hurricane

[Iron Bess]

Might mention that they were one of the first real runs at democracy though...

They voted for the captain and could just as easily UNvote him (or her) in as well. Depending on how well he increased the crew’s profit margin…

('Cept Captain Jack or Barbossa of course

[Red Sea Trade]

I just did a program like this for a group of 5th and 6th graders. This being Florida, and our most famous local pirate interaction being Searles' Raid of the 1660's, I was dressed as a sailor of that period.

I started by asking them to tell me all the things that they would expect a pirate to wear. I got all the usual, then asked them to imagine the following--

A man walks toward you with a peg leg, hook instead of a hand and an eye patch. What does he do for a living?

They all answered, of course, "He's a pirate!"

"No", I replied. "He might be an EX-pirate, but he wouldn't be any use at all missing a hand, a leg and an eye. Whatever he does for a living now, it isn't piracy."

I then addressed my own (very, very unromantic) garb. I explained that I was dressed as a typical English sailor of the era. I then said "Want to see me change into being a pirate?"

They all vigorously assented. I picked up my doglock.

"There, now I'm a pirate."

They groaned with disappointment. I made a simple analogy-- Do present day criminals walk around during their daily life wearing cartoon-style black "robber" masks and carrying huge sacks with dollar signs drawn on them? If not, why not?

That got them thinking, at least a little.

I brought plenty of cool stuff, muskets and swords and grenades, so they overcame their earlier disappointment.

I guess that what I'm saying is that I like to get the Hollywood version out of the way quickly and completely, then start building from there.

[shadoes]

Age range will vary wildly. This is a local Ren Fair put on for the last couple of years currently targeted at kids. But there will be all walks there.

I had planned to tell them some of the differences between what the movies show us as life on board ship and some of the recorded realities. As well as point out the dress of a typical pirate. The modern criminal analogy was one I had planned to use.

Great advice so far :) Thanks all who have replied and thanks to those that will reply.

[Blackbead]

I've done a lot of Civil War reenacting as well and one of the things that really brings the talk back to the kids' level is what sort of thing Civil War soldiers ate. We even had some homemade hard tack on hand to pass out (complete with a few cocoa krispies mixed in for the weevils!) When the kids got an idea of what these people ate on a daily basis they saw the hardships their ancestors endured a lot more clearly. When I was doing Confederate we'd even have a complete day's rations in one place. When you told the kids that THIS was all the soldier had to eat all day they really connected with the reality of CIvil War soldier life.

Well, hardtack is derived from sea biscuits and it wouldn't be that hard to lay before your audience the complete menu of a sailor at sea. This idea of pirates feasting on wine, legs of lamb and soft bread is also a figment of Hollywood's imagination. One of the reasons for a short captaincy among pirates was the inability to provide the crew with sustenance.

If you want an easy recipe for sea biscuits, just mix one cup of flour per two cups of water. Make them into uniform shapes and then bake them at 450 degrees until they start turning brown. Then, wrap them in aluminum foil and set them out to dry for a day or two. Once every drop of moisture is gone then they're ready to serve. They last forever unless you get them wet (there are records of hardtack that was bought under contract in 1865 being issued to soldiers on their way to Cuba in 1890!) Enjoy!

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

How did you get past federal laws taking weapons into a public school? I used to do history programs all the time before Columbine. Missouri and federal laws prohibit anyone from having any kind of weapons in a public school. I would love to take up doing this again, so if there is a loophole, please tell us!

Bo

[BriarRose Kildare]

You may want to give a brief overview on some of the more famous pirates and privateers. Children are often interested in learning about historic figures especially if they have an interest in the subject.

Another thought to is to include some of the legend and lore of the sea...even perhaps a ghost story....Children love that kind of stuff.

I used to teach at an elementary school working with children from K thru 4th grade in the Special Learning Skills Program and Emotional Support Program. Anyway, the one way we would capture their interests was by teaching them about historic figures that were important to the subject being taught. And they enjoyed stories that included legend and lore as well.

Just something to think about. Hope that helped a bit.

[Red Sea Trade]

How did you get past federal laws taking weapons into a public school? 

I always send a written description of exactly what I will be bringing and ask for prior approval. I inform the teacher and administrators that, if they insist, I can do the program without any weapons. I also have one piece, a doglock, which never had a flash hole drilled, so it is not legally a weapon.

I also bring a wooden "flint", just in case people are truly paranoid.

Amazingly, even in New York State, I have never had a school turn me away.

[shadoes]

I was actually thinking of maybe a quick story of the wreck of the Wyhdah

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

That is interesting, but no good here. The state went as far as to include the words " weapons or fascimiles" in the legal language.

I guess this would be a time to try the initiative petition amendment to our state constitution. I doubt if I could get enough intrst to make it happen though.

Thanx though, I appreciate the response.

Bo

[LadyBarbossa]

Hey, Shadoes.

Hun, I wouldn't worry about Hollywood and Historical. Cause, despite the fictional stories they toss in, Hollywood has been doing their very best to be authentic looking. You can't drag them in the mud for trying at least. They have Professionals working on these, especially PotC. ::: waits now for the slew of folks wanting to bash that:::

All in all, Shadoes, go with what you know is historical documentation. Yes, there were Pirate women. Yes, talk about the Whydah. Yes, talk a little bit about the famous ones. Talk a little bit about the various pirates around the world. The eras most popular for Piracy and why? What did Pirates go after most and why? And as Bess stated, their rules and they democracy. Mention it was all hard work and the possible cost if caught & arrested. One works on how to explain all these things to different age groups. I've had to learn that myself in Rev War reenacting. Simple short term words for kids so as to keep their attention. Teens, something adventurous and exciting. Adults, depends upon the individual but most can handle the indepth truth.

I'm sure you will do fantasticly fine, Shadoes.

Just follow your instincts, write up an outline, and go from there. Test, trial, etc. You will find what works and what doesn't.

~Lady B

[Graydog]

Here be my 2 cents.

You're dealin with kids so it better be FUN!

1. I'd tell the kids about sailing in the 1700's. Then tell them we are all on one big ship and they be me crew! That you all are hauling rum to England from Port Royal. Then I'd telling them about short pay, bad rations, lack of shore leave, and finally beating anybody who didn't like it. At that point ask the kids if anyboy doesn't like that? If so, they can get off your ship!

2. Take the ones that want to leave and tell them they have just become pirates! Go over how they will need rules to govern their new ship and to prevent a terrible new captain, they'll elect them from now on. Go over how to make a living they will need to be raiding other ships. Ask them if there clothes have changed. When they say, duh, no. Point out to them it was the same for pirates, they wore their same clothes and there weren't special pirate clothes.

3. Next have the pirate crew attack there former ship mates and capture the booty from the old ship. Allow the kids some free play but watch that they don't get too rough. Discuss with them how they will need to find a port to sail into to sell their booty. Pretend they go to port, talk about the time there and how after the money is all spent they most go back to sea.

4. Have them go back to sea and raid the same ship again, but, uh ho, this time its a man-of-war and the kids that lost the last time win this time! Ask the kids of the man-of-war what should they do with these pirates that they have caught. Go over with them how the fate of getting caught for a priate was normally a painful death.

You don't need to talk about Hollywood. Spend the time teaching them what's the history. In a kids mind, you teach them history and myth and they wind up remembering the myth. Let the kids have fun, go on account and hear tales of what will happen to them personally and they be rememberin your presentation for years to come.

[Cascabel]

I have done a fair amount of school programs, and the very best advice that I can give is to do it "in character". It's amazing how much the kids pay attention when they feel like they are listening to a "real" pirate, rather than just a guy in a costume talking about pirates.

The weapons issues have never been a problem so far. I always discuss this with the teachers beforehand. I have even sat and eaten lunch with the "resource officer" (cop on duty) wearing sword and pistol. The kids thought it to be quite an honor to escort me down to the lunch room as a class. They enjoyed walking me down the halls as their personal pirate !!

>>>>> Cascabel

[Silver Steele]

Well perhaps a common ground is a good start. Using either POTC or Treasure Island. I think most school age children have read TI, and have probably seen POTC.

Perhaps you could focus on the things that most people think pirates had or used based upon Treasure Island. For example, in TI there are peg legs, eye patches, walking the plank, earrings, parrots, buried treasure, and lots of gold. Because of TI, most people think ALL pirates had these things.

Using the lots of gold example, most pirates didn't get rich. There are of course a few exceptions, but most of the time the items they plundered were goods such as food, sail cloth, water, clothes, black powder, etc. That not many a pirate died as rich and successful as Morgan. Most died poor at the end of a noose or as a street beggar.

Using POTC as an example is the Code set down by the pirates Morgan and Roberts. Morgan died in 1688 when Roberts was only 6 years old. That there was a ships "code" persay, the ship's articles. And Roberts does have one of the most well known.

So perhaps a bit on weapons? That in movies ships are portrayed as huge galleons, with 100 guns, when in reality they were sloops with 6-10 small cannons. ANd pirates used those ships because they were faster and could sail under the attacked ships cannons. Of course you could bring up there are exceptions to this also, meaning Blackbeard.

Just my .02 doubloons.

[Patrick Hand]

Treasure Island might be a good tie-in..... OK it's not period..... but "hey ya wanna learn more 'bout Pyrates"..... then Read.....

Capt. Johnson's A General History of the Robberis & Murdurs of the most Notorious PIRATES"... Or Dampier's New Voyage round the World or Expuemelin's The Buccaneers of America

Get them excited 'bout it.... then tell them where to find more........

Excite the little snot nosed buggers to learn more.......

<Yah... I know I'm going to get in trouble fer typin' that........ >

[shadoes]

Talking to kids is no problem. I have done kids stuff for years.

Again good advice all. I have 30 minutes to talk so we'll see how much I can work in. Hmm need to get to the library before hand and see what books on pirates they have since this little ren fair is at a library :)

[Red Sea Trade]

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier reply-- try to find a local angle. Not every neighborhood had a local pirate, but it helps if you can tie it in to places the kids know.

I was fortunate enough to work down the street from Captain Kidd's house in New York. That got kids' attention! Now, considerably further south, I can tell them about Sir Francis Drake and Captain Searles.

It really shocks kids to know that, not only were pirates real, but they lived and worked right where the kids are today.

[Misson]

You might also mention that most pirates were actually trying to avoid a fight rather than start one. I was with Red-Handed Jill's group for a kids show and her mate Jack made this point by asking the kids what the pirates greatest weapon was. After he got all the standard responses, he showed them the pirate flag and explained that this was their greatest weapon because it could be used to make their prey give up before a fight was ever started.

If you watch the Hollywood films, you'd think all these folks did was fight.

[shadoes]

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier reply-- try to find a local angle. Not every neighborhood had a local pirate, but it helps if you can tie it in to places the kids know.

I was fortunate enough to work down the street from Captain Kidd's house in New York. That got kids' attention! Now, considerably further south, I can tell them about Sir Francis Drake and Captain Searles.

It really shocks kids to know that, not only were pirates real, but they lived and worked right where the kids are today.

Know any Oklahoman pirates?

[BriarRose Kildare]

Don't forget to speak on what interests you in pyracy. When you speak of what or where your main interests are you capture the audiance better with your enthusiasm. Hight light several topics that flow well together. And give a brief discussion or description on each. Oh, and it helps too if you have pictures or books to display....something that will make it more tangible for the kids.