Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how a turning point in a narrative affects a character’s emotions.
Key learning points
- ‘Escape from Pompeii’ builds tension as the story progresses, drawing readers into the narrative of the eruption.
- Tension can be built up in many ways thorough hinting, pacing, illustration, character reactions and cliffhangers.
- A turning point in a narrative is a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story.
- Turning points can evoke a range of emotions in the character.
Keywords
Tension - Tension is a feeling of nervousness, excitement or fear.
Hint - A hint is a slight indication or suggestion of something (e.g. something that might happen next).
Atmosphere - Atmosphere is the mood created in a section or whole of a text
Turning point - A turning point in a narrative is a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story or a character's journey.
Emotions graph - An emotions graph is a reading task where readers plot a character's feelings and emotions as they change throughout a narrative.
Common misconception
During Task A, pupils may not find an example of each of the tension-building techniques.
Different techniques may be used on each page. You could share examples for the three double-page spreads after the task.
Teacher tip
You may wish to explain why constantly building tension is not effective for a narrative. The structure of a story needs to vary in emotion and engage a reader in different ways. You might want to map the text out onto a story mountain - or similar template.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2005 Frances Lincoln Children's Books edition of ‘Escape from Pompeii’ written and illustrated by Christina Balit, for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who is the publisher of 'Escape from Pompeii'?
Q2.How is Mount Vesuvius described in the text?
Q3.True or False? All of the citizens of Pompeii paid attention to the early tremors of the eruption.
Q4.Which month did the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 occur?
Q5.What mood is created by the following sentence: The children laughed and played in the sunny meadow, their smiles brightening the day.
Q6.What mood is created by the following sentence: The dark clouds gathered ominously overhead as the hikers quickened their pace, sensing the impending storm.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords to their definitions.
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
Q2.How else can the mood created in a section or whole of a text, be described?
Q3.True or False? There is only one turning point in a text.
Q4.Short sentences in a text can affect the pacing in which way?
Q5.Which emotions does Tranio exhibit at the start of the text?
Q6.Which emotions does Livia exhibit at the end of the text?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Escape from Pompeii': reading unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.