Reading center: Discovering Pompeii, by Linda Cernak
Purpose of this activity is to have the students make a connection to an historical event and one that they know really happened. My students enjoy historical fictions and relate better to a book of this genre.
Procedure: During Shared Reading lesson the teacher will read orally to students and discuss events from the book: POMPEII, Usborne Young Reading Book by Karen Ball, 2006.
Day One: Chapter 1
A Warning
pages 5-8
Comprehension questions may be answered orally or in written form: Why were the people of Pompeii not alarmed by the tremor earlier in the year.
Day Two: Chapter 2
Vesuvius Comes Alive
pages 9-22
Comprehension question: Why do you believe the people of Pompeii were not as concerned as the old man?
Day Three: Chapter 3
The Spirit of a Hero
pages 23-28
Comprehension question: If you could change the title, want would you change it to and why?
Day Four: Chapter 4
Panic under Vesuvius
pages 29-45
Comprehension question: Look at the picture on pages 42-43. What facts about volcanoes are in the picture?
Day Five: Chapter 5
1860: A City Rediscovered
pages 46-64
Comprehension question: Why is this chapter called “A city rediscovered?”
In the independent center students will write a summary of the story. Students will receive a graphic organizer to write their response prior to writing out their summary.
Why? Students have a better understanding of Social Studies and Science if they can make a personal connection and this historical fiction book supplies an entertaining story that my students will enjoy.
