This lesson features differentiated reading comprehension worksheets about Blackbeard the Pirate along the North Carolina coast. Tailored for middle school special education students, it provides 2nd-grade and 5th-grade level texts in visually identical layouts to preserve student dignity.
"Blackbeard watched for passing merchant ships carrying food, cloth, and valuable items to sell."
Clue words from the sentence:
Based on the clues, what is a merchant ship?
A ship carrying goods to sell
A toy boat in a small pond
3 Target Word: REMOTE
Paragraph 2
"The sandy islands were remote, far away from big towns and crowded places where people could see him."
Clue words from the sentence:
Based on the clues, what does remote mean?
Far away, quiet, and hidden
Full of noisy people and traffic
4 Target Word: DEFEATED
Paragraph 3
"Lieutenant Maynard stopped Blackbeard at Ocracoke, and the pirate was finally defeated in the battle."
Clue words from the sentence:
Based on the clues, what does defeated mean?
Beaten and stopped in a fight
Given a prize for winning
North Carolina Golden Age of Piracy Study Guide
NC-SS.8.H.1.B • Page 2
NC-SS.8.H.1.A
1. FIERCE:
Clues:ruled, smoking demon, battle, terrify Meaning: Wild, violent, and aggressive
2. MERCHANT:
Clues:passing, spy on, surprise attacks, ships Meaning: A ship that carries trade goods to sell
3. REMOTE:
Clues:sandbars, hiding spots, islands Meaning: Far away, isolated, and secluded
4. REIGN:
Clues:ruled, defeated, ending Meaning: The period of time someone rules or holds power
Worksheet B Key (2nd Grade Level)
NC-SS.8.H.1.B
1. FIERCE:
Clues:ruled, afraid Meaning: Wild, scary, and strong
2. MERCHANT:
Clues:food, cloth, goods to sell Meaning: A ship carrying goods to sell
3. REMOTE:
Clues:far away, big towns Meaning: Far away, quiet, and hidden
4. DEFEATED:
Clues:stopped, battle Meaning: Beaten and stopped in a fight
Context Clue Interventions
1. Highlighter Clue Hunt: Provide students with a yellow highlighter to physically highlight the words in the sentence that act as "puzzle clues" before touching the choices.
2. Word Replacement Test: Teach students the substitution trick: re-read the sentence replacing the mystery word with the definition choice. Does the sentence still make sense?
3. Scribe & Verbal Sharing: For students with dysgraphia, allow them to point to or verbally state their clue words while a teacher or peer aide scribes into the box.
IEP Alignment Note
Meets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.4.A: Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
North Carolina Golden Age of Piracy Teacher Companion
NC-SS.8.TG.PIRATES • Page 2
1 Step 1: Solve the 16 Multiplication Facts
Write each product in the white box
O 6 × 7 =
C 4 × 8 =
R 9 × 3 =
A 5 × 5 =
K 7 × 7 =
E 3 × 6 =
I 8 × 8 =
N 7 × 3 =
L 9 × 4 =
T 6 × 4 =
S 5 × 8 =
B 8 × 2 =
M 7 × 8 =
P 6 × 5 =
H 9 × 9 =
G 4 × 7 =
2
Step 2: Crack the Secret Pirate Hideout Code!
Outer Banks Mystery Location
Mystery Question: What shallow North Carolina inlet did Blackbeard use as his secret pirate base before his final battle in 1718?
North Carolina Golden Age of Piracy Math Application
NC-SS.8.ACT.MATH • Page 2
42
C 4 × 8 =
32
R 9 × 3 =
27
A 5 × 5 =
25
K 7 × 7 =
49
E 3 × 6 =
18
I 8 × 8 =
64
N 7 × 3 =
21
L 9 × 4 =
36
T 6 × 4 =
24
S 5 × 8 =
40
B 8 × 2 =
16
M 7 × 8 =
56
P 6 × 5 =
30
H 9 × 9 =
81
G 4 × 7 =
28
2
Step 2 Decoded Solution: "OCRACOKE INLET"
Verified Cipher Text
Historical Connection: Blackbeard anchored at Ocracoke Inlet because the treacherous, shifting sandbars protected his ship from deeper Navy warships.
O
42
C
32
R
27
A
25
C
32
O
42
K
49
E
18
I
64
N
21
L
36
E
18
T
24
3
Step 3: Quick-Fire Challenge Answers (8 Facts)
Doubloon Bonus Key
2 × 9 = 18
10 × 5 = 50
4 × 4 = 16
3 × 8 = 24
5 × 7 = 35
9 × 2 = 18
6 × 6 = 36
8 × 4 = 32
North Carolina Golden Age of Piracy Math Application Key
NC-SS.8.ACT.MATH.KEY • Page 2
Arrival:
Warm-Up: Set whiteboard timer to 7 minutes.
Reading: Pass out Blackbeard Legends Worksheet. Read text together as a class, pointing out vocabulary in the margins. Students independently complete the 6 comprehension questions along with the back of the worksheet.
Math: Pass out Treasure Loot Math Activity. Students identify key operations and solve the word problems. The back of the worksheet is a multiplication fact activity.
Writing: If time allows, pass out Pirate Legend Writing Activity (or Captain's Log Sheet). Students design their pirate identity and complete the guided writing prompt.
Dismissal: Students must turn in all work (finished or unfinished) into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door and clean up their area before being dismissed.
Student Note — Mon'Layla: She frequently makes inappropriate comments towards students and/or uses cuss words. She can become confrontational; if she seems like she is escalating to a major disruptive point, call for assistance.
10:01 - 10:21 AM
In
Inclusion Support (Mrs. Hargrove Room 111)
20 Mins
Go to Mrs. Hargrove's room (111) and assist students as needed.
Ensure students stay focused and on task.
10:31 - 11:01 AM
3
Core 3: Reading & Writing
30 Mins
Arrival: Bags on hooks. Retrieve materials from hanging organizer behind door. They will be rewriting their paragraph from yesterday. I made notes on all papers.
Reading: Pass out Blackbeard Legends Worksheet. Read text together as a class and complete the 6 comprehension questions. They will also complete the problems on the back.
Writing: If time allows, pass out Pirate Legend Writing Activity (or Captain's Log Sheet). Students work on designing their captain.
Dismissal: Students must turn in all work into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door and clean up their area before being dismissed.
Daily Substitute Lesson Packet
SUB.PLAN.P1
Substitute Lesson Plan
Pirates of Carolina • Reading, Writing & Math
DAILY SCHEDULE Part 2: Afternoon
Important Student Accommodations & Needs
Student J. Neal: Requires a science packet today. He will be given time twice to work on it. Let him know he does not need to rush; he has multiple sessions to finish.
11:00 - 11:20 AM
Intervention: J. Neal
20 Mins
Pass out the Science packet to J. Neal.
Explain that he won't finish right now, but he will have more time to complete it later this afternoon.
Duty-Free Lunch
Relax! You are on duty-free lunch during this slot.
11:20 - 11:50 AM
11:50 AM - 12:10 PM
In
Inclusion Support (Mr. Dela Cruz Room 112)
20 Mins
Go to Mr. Dela Cruz's room (112) and assist students during inclusion support.
Location Note: Room 112 is located across the courtyard from Ms. Hargrove's room (Room 111).
12:21 - 1:01 PM
Core 4: J. Neal Science Completion
40 Mins
Ensure J. Neal gets his Science packet out and completes it during this period.
Monitor classroom and assist J. Neal if he needs help with any science tasks.
1:01 - 1:41 PM
Elective Period: SEL Lesson
40 Mins
Pass out the Emotional Navigation worksheet and the Stormy Scenarios SEL Activity worksheet.
Introduce the "Ship and Anchor" metaphor. Guide them through choosing their coping strategy anchors.
Read through the 3 Scenarios in "Critical Steering" as a group or in pairs. Have students complete the cards.
Instruct students to turn in completed papers to the hanging file organizer behind the classroom door.
Teacher Planning Period
1:41 - 2:45 PM
Daily Substitute Lesson Packet
SUB.PLAN.P2
Blackbeard Legends Worksheet
Students complete the 6 comprehension questions along with the activities on the back of the worksheet.
Writing: If time allows, pass out Pirate Legend Writing Activity. Students design their pirate identity and complete the guided writing prompt.
Dismissal: Students must turn in all work into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door and clean up their area before being dismissed.
10:40 - 11:10 AM Pull Out
Social Emotional Pull Out
30 Mins
Book bags go on hooks. Students sit in their assigned seats (names on desks).
Pass out the Emotional Navigation Activity worksheet.
Introduce the "Ship and Anchor" metaphor. Guide students through identifying triggers and choosing their coping strategy anchors.
Dismissal: Turn in completed work into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door.
7th Grade EC Daily Lesson Plan • Pirates of Carolina
PLAN.7TH.EC.P1
7th Grade EC Daily Lesson Plan
Exceptional Children Classroom • Pirates of Carolina Theme
DAILY SCHEDULE Part 2: Midday & Afternoon (11:10 AM - 2:45 PM)
Student Grouping & Schedule Structure Notes
• Different Groups: The 10:00 AM, 11:10 AM, and 11:49 AM pull-out sessions are separate student cohorts; follow the consistent directions for each group.
• Back-to-Back Session (11:49 AM – 12:55 PM): The same students remain in class across both the 11:49–12:25 and 12:25–12:55 blocks without leaving.
11:10 - 11:49 AM Pull Out
Reading Pull Out (Group 2)
39 Mins
Book bags go on hooks. Students sit in their assigned seats (names on desks).
Pass out Blackbeard Legends Worksheet. Read text together as a class, pointing out vocabulary in the margins.
Students complete the 6 comprehension questions along with the activities on the back of the worksheet.
Writing: If time allows, pass out Pirate Legend Writing Activity. Students design their pirate identity and complete the guided writing prompt.
Dismissal: Students must turn in all work into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door and clean up their area before being dismissed.
Back-to-Back Cohort (11:49 AM – 12:55 PM): Same Students for Both Sessions 66 Mins Continuous
11:49 AM - 12:25 PM Pull Out
Social Emotional & Reading (Part 1)
36 Mins
Book bags go on hooks. Students sit in their assigned seats (names on desks). Note: this cohort stays for the next period as well.
SEL Activity: Pass out the Emotional Navigation Activity (or Stormy Scenarios SEL Activity) worksheet. Guide students through identifying coping anchors and resolving scenario cards.
Reading Introduction: Pass out Blackbeard Legends Worksheet. Begin reading text together as a class, pointing out vocabulary in margins. Keep papers on desks for continuation.
12:25 - 12:55 PM Pull Out
Reading Pull Out (Part 2 • Same Students)
30 Mins
Same students continue from previous session. Students complete the 6 comprehension questions along with the activities on the back of the worksheet.
Writing: If time allows, students work on Pirate Legend Writing Activity or copy sentences onto the Captain Log Final Sheet.
Dismissal: Turn in all completed and unfinished work into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door.
Duty-Free Lunch Break
Enjoy your lunch! Faculty lounge located in the main hall.
12:57 - 1:37 PM
1:39 - 1:59 PM Inclusion
Social Emotional Inclusion Support
20 Mins
Go to inclusion classroom.
Assist where needed and ensure students are on task.
2:00 - 2:45 PM Pull Out
Math Pull Out
45 Mins
Book bags go on hooks. Students sit in their assigned seats (names on desks).
Pass out Treasure Loot Math Activity. Students identify key operations and solve the word problems.
The back of the worksheet is a multiplication fact activity (Cannonball Code Breaker).
Assist where needed and ensure students are on task.
Dismissal: Students must turn in all work into their spot in the hanging file organizer behind the door and clean up their area before being dismissed.
7th Grade EC Daily Lesson Plan • Pirates of Carolina
