Vlad and The Great Fire of London - Learning Sequence

The 'Vlad and The Great Fire of London' learning sequence is a meticulously structured unit overview for a six-week period, aimed at engaging children with the historical event through a blend of literacy and historical inquiry. In the first week, students delve into the story by examining the front cover illustration to deduce the events unfolding within the narrative, engaging in a text mapping activity to document their findings. They compare historical and modern houses, using the conjunction 'but' to articulate their observations, and formulate predictions about the characters, thus laying the groundwork for deeper understanding. As they progress through the story, reading up to page 5, they focus on identifying key facts about a character named Boxton, using graphic organizers to record and respond to questions, thereby enhancing their comprehension and analytical skills.

As the weeks unfold, the learning sequence continues to immerse students in the narrative and historical context of the Great Fire of London. By week 4, they are using sensory descriptions to write about the bakery fire and discussing the characters' subsequent actions, employing evidence from the text to support their ideas. The children engage in role-play, hot seating, and explore the emotions of the characters Vlad and Boxton through various literacy activities. By week 6, the sequence culminates with the students predicting outcomes, understanding phrases like 'fanning the inferno', and discussing the significance of historical figures such as Samuel Pepys. Throughout the unit, the children are encouraged to use evidence from the text to support their responses, fostering a deeper connection with the characters and the historical event, while also developing their comprehension and critical thinking skills.