LKS2 Topic: Modern Europe Block F: Italy
Travel to Italy to take in the alpine scenery and enjoy a mountain trek through the many mountain
ranges that Italy boasts. Take a trip back in time to CE 79 and the fateful day that Mt Vesuvius blew her
top. Investigate the mysterious draw of the volcanoes of southern Italy for settlement - would you take
the risk and live in the shadow of a live volcano?
Block F: Modern Europe
Main outcomes: Geography and History
Italy
Other outcomes: English
[4 sessions]

By the end of this block you will
have achieved the following
outcomes:
Session 1 Geography and
English
The mountain medleys of Italy
Become mountain detectives and
discover the various mountain
ranges to be found in Italy; from
the Alps and Dolomites in the north
to the Apennine Mountains that
stretch down Italy’s boot. Create a
tourist brochure, encouraging
visitors to take a mountain tour of
Italy.
Session 2 Geography,
History and English
Experiencing Pompeii
Take a trip back in time to CE 79
and experience the last epic
eruption of Mount Vesuvius from
the eyes of Pliny the Younger.
Provide a news piece for the BBC
as a Newsround reporter,
explaining the historical story and
geography behind the eruption.
Locate Italy on a map and concentrate on its environmental regions,
key physical and human characteristics, and major cities.
 Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human
and physical geography of a region in Italy.
 Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including: climate
zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains and volcanoes.
 Describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including: types of
settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the
distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water.
 Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and
describe features studied.
 Construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation
of relevant historical information.
 Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of
sources.
 Give well-structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different
purposes.
 Retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.
 Extend pupils’ confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language through public
speaking, performance and debate.
Children will:
 Use maps to identify Italian mountain ranges
 Become mountain detectives and investigate and identify the human and
physical geography of the mountain areas of Italy
 Create a ‘Mountain Tours of Italy’ tourist brochure
Children will:
 Experience the eruption of Vesuvius in CE 79 through a drama and videos
 Explore the geography behind volcanoes through video
 Be able to identify primary and secondary sources of historical information
 Record a Newsround report explaining the events and geography of 79 BCE
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
LKS2 Topic: Modern Europe Block F: Italy
Children will:
Session 3 Geography and
 Make a diorama out of Lego/Duplo of Mt Vesuvius that includes key physical and
History
The geography of the Mt
Vesuvius region
Create your own Mt Vesuvius
Lego™ diorama, including colour
coded flag labels, identifying
historical and geographical
information.
Session 4 Geography and
English
The human geography of
volcanic regions
Create a risk assessment for living
in the shadow of an active volcano
- look at Mt Etna on Sicily,
alongside Mt Vesuvius and identify
patterns of settlement and land
use over the past few hundred
years.


human geographical features
Create historical and geographical flag labels for the Mt Vesuvius diorama
Recognise ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ sources of historical information
Children will:
 Experience Mt Etna’s eruptions through video resources
 Identify key human geographical features of a volcano and its surrounding area
 Create a risk assessment for living in the shadow of Mt Etna or Vesuvius
 Take part in a debate about living in the shadow of a volcano
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
LKS2 Topic: Modern Europe Block F: Italy
Resources
Session 1
Provided: Information sheets covering Mountain Detective Agency information pack & Human
features/physical features game.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Maps and atlases.
Session 2
Provided: Information sheet on Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Video recording equipment.
Session 3
Provided: Information sheet on UNESCO Heritage Site challenge.
You will need: Access to the Internet; Coloured ‘flag label’ paper with examples; Plenty of Lego/Duplo;
A range of extra diorama materials: lolly sticks/straws/ foil/cotton wool.
Session 4
Provided: Information sheets covering Map of the Volcanoes of Italy & Volcano settlement game.
You will need: Access to the Internet.
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.
LKS2 Topic: Modern Europe Block F: Italy
Useful websites for background information:
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
The links to the websites and the contents of the web pages associated with such links specified on this list (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘Links’)
have been checked by Hamilton Trust (being the operating name of the registered charity, William Rowan Hamilton Trust) and to the best of Hamilton
Trust’s knowledge, are correct and accurate at the time of publication. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other terms and conditions on the Hamilton
Trust website, you acknowledge that Hamilton Trust has no control over such Links and indeed, the owners of such Links may have removed such Links,
changed such Links and/or contents associated with such Links. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility to verify any of the Links which you wish you use.
Hamilton Trust excludes all responsibility and liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Links.