Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Escape from Pompeii'
I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Escape from Pompeii’.
Exploring and engaging with themes in 'Escape from Pompeii'
I can identify and engage with the key themes in ‘Escape from Pompeii’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
- Themes can leave us with ideas and questions that we reflect on after reading the text.
- The theme of remembrance is conveyed through Tranio and Livia’s return to the mountain in the resolution.
- Fluent readers can process text swiftly and efficiently.
Keywords
Remembrance - Remembrance is thinking about and honouring people or events from the past.
Fluency - Reading fluency refers to the ability to read a text accurately, smoothly and with appropriate expression.
Expression - Reading with expression means reading with feelings and emotion to bring the words to life.
Convey - To convey means to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly.
Theme - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
Common misconception
Less confident readers may find reading aloud challenging in a whole class context.
More confident readers could be partnered up with lesser-confident pupils, with a copy of the two double page spreads to refer to.
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
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Tranio and Livia
the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79
Pompeii
Exit quiz
6 Questions
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