New
New
Year 4

Introducing the context of 'Escape from Pompeii'

I can understand the context of 'Escape from Pompeii'.

New
New
Year 4

Introducing the context of 'Escape from Pompeii'

I can understand the context of 'Escape from Pompeii'.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Connecting information in "Escape from Pompeii" to our background knowledge can help us to deepen our understanding.
  2. Before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii was a busy Roman city.
  3. Mount Vesuvius erupted on 24 August AD 79.
  4. The city was covered in ash and many people died.
  5. The afterword provides the reader with valuable information and context.

Keywords

  • Historical fiction - Historical fiction is a genre in which a fictional plot takes place in the setting of particular, real historical events.

  • Context - The context is the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading.

  • Afterword - An afterword is a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections after the main content.

Common misconception

Pupils may encounter new or unfamiliar vocabulary in the additional material resources.

Pre-teaching specific terms with definitions or visuals will support less confident readers.

Highlighting non-fiction texts in your book area that are linked to the Roman Empire will deepen understanding of the subject matter and further engage readers. As pupils have read the afterword independently, you may wish to read the additional materials aloud to the class.
Teacher tip

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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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the capital city of Italy?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Rome
Q2.
Which of the following best describes a non-fiction text?
when there are lots of texts with the same characters
Correct answer: a genre of text which presents real events, information, or knowledge
a form of text combining words and images in long-form, sequential art panels
Q3.
Based on their front covers, which of the following are non-fiction texts?
The Outlaw Varjak Paw
Correct answer: Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
The Suitcase
Q4.
Which of the following best describes a historical fiction text?
a form of text that presents news and information about current events
a text that contains multiple poems by one author or on a particular subject
Correct answer: a genre in which a fictional plot takes place in the setting of real events
Q5.
Based on their front covers, which of the following are historical fiction texts?
Correct answer: Viking Boy
Empire's End: A Roman Story
Grimwood
The Great (food) Bank Heist
Q6.
Place the following dates in chronological order.
1 - AD 79
2 - 1748
3 - 1863
4 - 1944
Q1 Italy: Location Map (2013) by OCHA, CC 3.0 Q3 image 1 The Outlaw Varjak Paw, SF Said, Dave McKean, Corgi Childrens Q3 image 2 Hidden Figures, Margot Lee Shetterly, Laura Freeman, HarperCollins Q3 image 3 The Suitcase, Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, Nosy Crow Q5 image 1 Viking Boy, Tony Bradman, Pierre-Denis Goux, Walker Books Q5 image 2 Empire's End - A Roman Story, Leila Rasheed, Alette Straathof, Scholastic Q5 image 3 Grimwood, Nadia Shireen, Simon & Schuster Q5 image 4 The Great (Food) Bank Heist, Onjali Q. Raúf, Elisa Paganelli, Barrington Stoke

6 Questions

Q1.
Which genre is 'Escape from Pompeii' best described as being?
fairy tale
science fiction
Correct answer: historical fiction
fantasy
Q2.
Pompeii is located in which part of Italy?
An image in a quiz
North
East
Correct answer: South
West
Q3.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:historical fiction,a genre where a fictional plot takes place in a real event

a genre where a fictional plot takes place in a real event

Correct Answer:context,the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading

the surrounding details that help you understand what you're reading

Correct Answer:afterword,a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections

a concluding section providing additional insights or reflections

Q4.
'Escape from Pompeii' is written and illustrated by which person?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Christina Balit, Christina balit, christina balit
Q5.
True or False? Historical fiction texts are entirely fictional and made up.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
Match the new vocabulary from the afterword to its meaning.
Correct Answer:pumice,volcanic rock with small holes allowing liquid or air to pass through

volcanic rock with small holes allowing liquid or air to pass through

Correct Answer:archaeologist,a person who studies past societies or history

a person who studies past societies or history

Correct Answer:plaster-cast,a replica/copy made in plaster

a replica/copy made in plaster

Q2 Italy: Location Map (2013) by OCHA, CC 3.0 Q4 Escape from Pompeii, Christina Balit, Frances Lincoln Children's Books

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