Finding Courage in the Flames
The Leopard Class have begun their new narrative unit with an exciting and immersive drama hook inspired by Sammy the Street Dog. Using drama techniques such as hot-seating and freeze frames, the children explored key moments from the story, focusing on how Sammy may have felt as he tried to escape the raging Great Fire of London in 1666.
Through speaking and acting in role, pupils were encouraged to use emotive language to describe fear, confusion, hope and determination. These activities helped the children to deepen their understanding of character, setting and historical context, while generating powerful vocabulary and ideas to support their narrative writing.
The drama work also provided opportunities to reflect on our Christian values, particularly compassion and courage. The children considered how people and animals might have helped one another during the fire, showing kindness in times of danger, and how bravery can be found even in the most frightening situations. This thoughtful exploration has inspired the class and created a strong foundation for the narratives they will continue to develop throughout the unit.
