5E's Pompeii Newsreports

This week in 5E we have been exploring the features of newsreports. We then wrote our own reports set the day after the eruption in Pompeii. Below are Tabitha and Mitchell's reports. Can you identify what features they used?

Tabitha's:

Pompeii Plummets

At approximately 3:45 yesterday afternoon, the city of bustling Pompeii was demolished brutally after an active volcano, referred to as Mount Vesuvius, exploded and killed over two thousand people.

Initially warning signs began at 3:30pm when a slender figure, thought to be a warning of demons, was spotted bearing down on the innocent citizens. A wave of blistering rocks and malicious gasses subsequently began to descend over Pompeii. So as to prevent many deaths, the alarm bells were ear-splittingly rung and the evacuation swiftly commenced.

             Although the evacuation attempt went ahead, it was not soon enough for thousands of poor souls. Scorching lava and sizzling rocks were catapulted from the mountain demon, which thundered from the fatal funnel and began to destroy. As it cooled, a malicious monstrosity of debris and ash filled the sky. It became a grey apparel for Pompeii as it began to clog the air (preventing people from breathing). The town’s inhibitants began to fatally and cruelly suffocate. Furthermore, others were killed as a result of the dense ash.

             Fatality struck. A surge of molten rock and superheated toxic gas trickled greedily down the cone engulfing any mere thing in its path. By the time the eruption spouted to a halt early this morning at precisely 6:21am, the entire aristocratic city of Pompeii was concealed by a blanket of dense ash.

             Disputing the origins of this devastation are those whose pathways are founded in myth and legend. Such as, Flavia, a wise fortune teller native to Rome, claimed, “It’s a demon! Run - an evil devil!” Although, Marco, a Roman scientist, stated “This is not a monster, a beast, a god if you wish; it is a geological phenomenon.” Furthermore he continued to explain that they are created when the movement of the so-called tectonic plates push together resulting in an explosive eruption (such as what has taken place in our wondrous homeland).

             It is uncertain what the future holds for the now death-swept city of Pompeii. Could this vindictive volcano spring back to life? Hunting for those affected by this misery; please contact: 7 strada del vivian , Roma

Mitchell's:

ERUPTION!

           Unexpectedly, in the middle of the day, a volcano, which goes by the name of Mt Vesuvius, suddenly erupted. Initially the warnings started at 7am and a building of pitch-black smoke hovered then paced speedily into the poisoned air. The ash was catapulted into the air.

 Consequently, a heatwave of boiling ash, rocks and gases began to scarily shower over the north side of Pompeii. So as to warn the people of Pompeii, the ear splitting alarm signalled evacuation commencing. The alarm was signalled.

Meanwhile, the evacuation attempt carried on yet it wasn’t enough for thousands of innocent lives to be ruined. Unhappily, the scorching molten lava and rock spat by the mountain's anger began to destroy.  It was devastating. How come these people’s lives were ruined? As the liquid cooled down people were freezing in time.   

Narrative Writing by 5G

This week in Year 5 we have been writing our own narratives based on the story of Marcus, a slave who lived in Pompeii during the 79 A.D. eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Before beginning our narratives, we wrote a letter from Marcus to the new character we had invented. Here is Harry's letter, we hope you enjoy it!

Villa Helius

Via del Corso 

Pompeii

22nd August 79 A.D.

Dear Brutus,

                    I am writing this letter in great haste. We are in grave danger and must escape Pompeii as soon as we can!

Earlier this morning, I was on my way to collect some laundry for my beastly master Festus but I never made it to the laundry house...Something else distracted me entirely! As I stumbled through the bustling streets (as squalid as always) I felt the ground begin to quake beneath my feet! Crash! All of a sudden the statue of Achilles at the entrance to the market began to wobble and I had to dive to avoid being squashed underneath it!

As I staggered to my feet a street vendor loomed over me. He told me that a fearsome beast lives under the monstrous mountain and causes the earth to rumble when it wakes! I was backing away from him when an old beggar lady approached me. She leaned in and murmured,'This world will burn, you need to escape boy!' 

So, we need to escape, I'm not leaving without you! I'll meet you by the servant's entrance at your master's villa, hopefully I'll have a plan by then...

Yours fearfully,

Marcus 

5E's Pompeii Narrative

This week in 5E, we have adapted our narratives from last week's stories to create our own original writing based in Pompeii.

Below is Yeganeh's work. Her current target is to use varied vocabulary. Can you spot which words she upleveled to be more powerful?

The year was 70AD and the streets of Pompeii bustled as if the world was going to end. Shoppers wrestled for bargains while weary, ragged slaves searched for nourishing water. Marcus, a frail fragile young slaveboy, slinked his way through the boiling streets to pick up his spiteful master's laundry. However, the ground began to violently shake and quake. Narrowly avoiding being hit by a marble dedication to Achilles, Marcus tumbled to the cold, hard ground. Shattering stones and crumbling glass scattered around, pounding into Marcus' eats; deafening him for minutes. 

5C Pompeii narrative

This week in 5C we have been writing narratives about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79A.D in Pompeii.

Despite their warnings, passers-by simply refused to listen to Marcus.  However, after two shattering explosions a sea of alarmed people anxiously attempted to flee the perilous city. Meandering their way through panic stricken alley ways, the pair sought refuge in a crumbling temple. They thought they were doomed as the walls trembled around them, but something caught Marcus’ stinging eyes. The hand of Jupiter! As the mystical beggar woman had prophesised, it led to safety.

‘The hidden Peompeii passageway!’ Marcus exclaimed, spluttering from the smoke and ash that around him.

By Ellie.H, Ellie.N, Ben, Liam, Dean and PJ

5E's Pompeii Narrative

In 5E we have been writing narratives in the style of our class book, based in Pompeii. Here's is an excerpt from Juvan's writing:

He was dejected. Clutching the wooden, frayed basket of poisonous snakes between his stubborn fingers, Marcus tiptoed towards the leering Lannister and vast gladiators. “Is this worth it?” Marcus whispered isolatedly to himself.

Despite all the knotted twists, the venomous snake hissed at the guard, his magic then excited Tata into ecstatically bolted with freedom. Tata exclaimed: “Quick! Let’s race to the dormant mountain with the abandoned horse!”

“I’ve really missed you!” Wept Marcus as tears dripped down his tender face. Unsteadily, by feeling his wretched father’s arm, covered in ruby red bloodstains and sweaty scars, the duo clambered up the rocky ridge.

5G's Descriptive Writing

This week, 5G have been looking at using description for effect. We have written descriptions of a volcano erupting as we have been reading a story about a boy who lived in Pompeii in 79 A.D. when Mt. Vesuvius erupted. This is an extract from Teja's description, we hope you enjoy it!

In 79 A.D. a terrible catastrophe befell the city of Pompeii. It was built in the menancing shadow of Mt. Vesuvius and one ill-fated day, the volcano erupted! It buried the city, leaving nothing but ash and the hardening lava as a testament to the terrible destruction that occurred. 

The first evidence of the coming eruption was the rumbling, like that of a giant's belly, deep beneath the mountain. A little while later, this was followed by smoke dancing out of the mouth of the mountain, forming great clouds like those that covered the sky on stormy nights. Suddenly, with a deafening roar, ash and magma poured out of the gaping crater at the top of the volcano and began to race eagerly towards the doomed city.