Tension is a feeling of nervousness, excitement or fear.

A hint is a slight indication or suggestion of something (e.g. something that might happen next).

Atmosphere is the mood created in a section or whole of a text

A turning point in a narrative is a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story or a character's journey.

An emotions graph is a reading task where readers plot a character's feelings and emotions as they change throughout a narrative.

Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii'

English

Introducing the context of 'Escape from Pompeii'

Exploring characterisation in 'Escape from Pompeii'

Building comprehension of 'Escape from Pompeii' through rich discussion

Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Escape from Pompeii'

In 'Escape from Pompeii: reading’, pupils read and discussed a historical fiction book. In ’Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover: reading’, pupils will read and discuss another historical fiction text and will deepen their understanding of the genre.

In 'The Pebble in my Pocket: reading’, pupils discussed the features of a non-fiction narrative. In ’Escape from Pompeii: reading’, children will broaden their knowledge of genre and read a historical fiction story set during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79CE.

In this unit, pupils read and explore the historical fiction text, 'Escape from Pompeii'. They explore characterisation across the text and build comprehension through rich discussion. Finally, pupils discuss and engage with key themes in the text.

'Escape from Pompeii': reading

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

a feeling of nervousness, excitement or fear

a slight indication or suggestion of something

a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story

Match the following keywords to their definitions.

How else can the mood created in a section or whole of a text, be described?

True or False? There is only one turning point in a text.

Short sentences in a text can affect the pacing in which way?

Which emotions does Tranio exhibit at the start of the text?

Which emotions does Livia exhibit at the end of the text?

Who is the publisher of 'Escape from Pompeii'?

How is Mount Vesuvius described in the text?

True or False? All of the citizens of Pompeii paid attention to the early tremors of the eruption.

Which month did the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 occur?

What mood is created by the following sentence: The children laughed and played in the sunny meadow, their smiles brightening the day.

What mood is created by the following sentence: The dark clouds gathered ominously overhead as the hikers quickened their pace, sensing the impending storm.

Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance