Remembrance is thinking about and honouring people or events from the past.

Reading fluency refers to the ability to read a text accurately, smoothly and with appropriate expression.

Reading with expression means reading with feelings and emotion to bring the words to life.

To convey means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly.

A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.

Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Escape from Pompeii'

English

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

thinking about and honouring people or events from the past

the ability to read a text accurately, smoothly and with expression

means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly

reading with feelings and emotion to bring the words to life.

Reading fluency refers to being able to read...

Which of the following are some of the important features of reading fluency?

True or false? Themes are explicitly stated within a text.

Select the themes that might be found in 'Escape from Pompeii'.

What form is 'Escape from Pompeii' presented in?

What genre best fits 'Escape from Pompeii'?

a point in the narrative where the excitement reaches its highest point

a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.

Which of the following best describes a **theme** within a text?

True or False? Tranio and Livia return to the mountain to pay their respects.

Order the following story structure elements.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Escape from Pompeii'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.