Vesuvius Report Writing

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for Year 3 students in a UK Catholic primary school. It focuses on writing a newspaper report about the day Mount Vesuvius erupted, addressing National Curriculum requirements for English: writing, reading comprehension, and oracy. The lesson integrates Catholic values of stewardship and respect for creation by reflecting on natural events and their impact on communities.

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National Curriculum Links (England)

English – Writing:

• Writing narratives about personal experiences and those of others (3.5 and 3.6)
• Plan and draft by discussing and recording ideas (3.8)
• Organise paragraphs around a theme (3.11)
• Use headings and sub-headings (3.14)
• Use varied sentences with appropriate punctuation (3.21)

English – Spoken Language (Oracy Framework):

• Participate in discussions, ask relevant questions, and build on others’ ideas (Years 3 and 4)
• Articulate and justify answers using technical vocabulary
• Use spoken language to develop understanding through imagining and exploring ideas

Reading – Comprehension:

• Understand non-fiction texts and identify key features (3.23, 3.24)

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT identify and understand the key features of a newspaper report
• WALT use appropriate language and structure to write a clear newspaper report about Mount Vesuvius erupting
• WALT work collaboratively to orally rehearse and share ideas following the Oracy framework
• WALT reflect on the importance and impact of natural disasters on communities

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Success Criteria

• I can list and explain the main features of a newspaper report (headline, byline, introduction, facts, quotes, paragraphs)
• I can use Time Connectives (e.g., “On that day,” “Suddenly”) to sequence events
• I can include at least one quote to make the report feel real
• I can use clear sentences with full stops and capital letters
• I can speak clearly when sharing my ideas and listen respectfully to others
• I can reflect on the impact such an event would have on people and the environment

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes) – Engaging Oracy

• Show a short illustrated story or pictorial timeline of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (dyslexia-friendly: large font, colour-coded text and images).
• Ask open and closed questions at varying difficulties:
  • Easy: “What happened to Mount Vesuvius?”
  • Medium: “Why do you think the people had to leave their homes?”
  • Challenge: “How do you think the people might have felt during the eruption?”
• Use Think-Pair-Share: Students first think individually, then discuss in pairs, then share with the class. Model respectful listening and Catholic values of empathy.

Main Teaching (20 minutes) – Exploring Features of a Newspaper Report

• Explain newspaper report features:
  • Headline (catchy and informative)
  • Byline (who wrote the report)
  • Introduction (who, what, where, when, why)
  • Main body with paragraphs that present facts in order
  • Quotes from ‘eyewitnesses’ (real or fictional)
  • Use of Time Connectives
• Use a sample paragraph on the whiteboard with colourful highlights to emphasise features (dyslexia-friendly: coloured overlays or backgrounds for each feature).
• Model writing the headline and first paragraph together, encouraging student suggestions.
• Introduce appropriate vocabulary (e.g., erupted, ash, lava, terrified) and encourage use in writing.

Independent/Group Activity (20 minutes) – Writing the Report

• Students write their newspaper report in pairs or small groups.
• Provide a structured writing frame scaffold and vocabulary mats with sentence starters (dyslexia-friendly, with visuals).
• Differentiate:
  • Support: Write sentences with word banks and visual prompts.
  • Typical: Write three paragraphs with guidance on sentence structure.
  • Advanced: Include direct and indirect speech; use descriptive language and varied sentence openers.
• Teachers circulate for formative assessment and to support oral rehearsal before writing.

Plenary (10 minutes) – Oracy and Reflection

• Invite a few pairs/groups to read their reports aloud confidently (oracy focus: clear articulation, volume, expression).
• Use a simple feedback sandwich method highlighting one good thing, one area to improve, and one question to deepen thinking.
• Guided reflection: “How does sharing news help people prepare for or understand difficult events?” Relate to Catholic values of community support and care.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual aids including images and colour-coded texts for dyslexia-friendly reading.
• Sentence starters and writing frames support weaker writers.
• Vocabulary banks with pictures help EAL learners and those with communication difficulties.
• Advanced learners challenged to incorporate direct/indirect speech and varied sentence types.
• Use peer support and collaborative writing for EAL and SEN students.

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Extension Activities

• Create a class newspaper front page with students’ reports and illustrations about the Vesuvius eruption.
• Research another historic natural disaster and write a short newspaper report comparing it to Vesuvius.
• Oral debate: “Should towns be rebuilt near volcanoes?” Encourages reasoning and respectful discussion shaped by Catholic stewardship themes.

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Resources

• Illustrated timeline and pictures of Mount Vesuvius eruption (large clear images).
• Example newspaper report paragraph displayed on a board or printed on coloured paper.
• Writing frames, vocabulary mats with key words and sentence starters.
• Whiteboard/flipchart for modelling.
• Dyslexia-friendly coloured overlays or reading rulers.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation of group discussions and individual writing progress.
• Success criteria checklist used to provide verbal and written feedback.
• Oracy skills assessed during plenary sharing using the school’s oracy framework rubric (listening, clarity, confidence, and expression).

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Catholic Ethos Integration

• Emphasis on empathy towards people affected by natural disasters.
• Reflection points encouraging stewardship and care for God’s creation.
• Encouraging respectful listening and valuing every voice in discussions according to Catholic social teaching.

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By combining writing, oracy, and reflection, this lesson plan not only meets the National Curriculum but enriches pupils’ understanding of a historic event through a faith-informed, inclusive, and engaging approach.