New
New
Year 4

Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii'

I can explore how a turning point in a narrative affects a character’s emotions.

New
New
Year 4

Turning points in 'Escape from Pompeii'

I can explore how a turning point in a narrative affects a character’s emotions.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. ‘Escape from Pompeii’ builds tension as the story progresses, drawing readers into the narrative of the eruption.
  2. Tension can be built up in many ways thorough hinting, pacing, illustration, character reactions and cliffhangers.
  3. A turning point in a narrative is a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story.
  4. 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.

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.
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

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the publisher of 'Escape from Pompeii'?
Christina Balit
Correct answer: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Mavis Nwokobia
Q2.
How is Mount Vesuvius described in the text?
Correct answer: gentle
a shield
Correct answer: a protector
annoyed
Q3.
True or False? All of the citizens of Pompeii paid attention to the early tremors of the eruption.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q4.
Which month did the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 occur?
June
July
Correct answer: August
September
Q5.
What mood is created by the following sentence: The children laughed and played in the sunny meadow, their smiles brightening the day.
Correct answer: joyful
gloomy
eerie
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.
Correct answer: tense
hopeful
peaceful

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:tension,a feeling of nervousness, excitement or fear

a feeling of nervousness, excitement or fear

Correct Answer:hint,a slight indication or suggestion of something

a slight indication or suggestion of something

Correct Answer:turning point,a pivotal moment that significantly alters the course of the story

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?
empathy
Correct answer: atmosphere
moral
Q3.
True or False? There is only one turning point in a text.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q4.
Short sentences in a text can affect the pacing in which way?
It takes the reader longer to read.
It can add more detail and description.
Correct answer: It can create a sense of urgency.
Q5.
Which emotions does Tranio exhibit at the start of the text?
Correct answer: joyful
fear
Correct answer: curious
guilt
Q6.
Which emotions does Livia exhibit at the end of the text?
excited
Correct answer: sadness
Correct answer: grief
pride