Text map information
These are the sentences/descriptions we use when completing the text map with the children so could be used as suggestions when
re-telling the story in school or the pupils may create new ones. The actions are the ones we use if the children don’t come up with something, however these can vary depending on their ideas.
Each of the sentences corresponds to an image on the text map.
Sentence / ActionEarly in the morning / Stretch, yawn
On the 6th of October 1854, when Queen Victoria was on the throne / Hold up 6 fingers then mimic crown or royal wave
A fire broke out / Wiggling hands up and down
In a mill / Either waving motion for weaving in and out or rolling motion for rolling the fabric
PC Ewart spotted the fire / Hand on eyebrow looking in to distance
And shouted for ‘Help’ / Hands either side of mouth shouting help
The mill was next to the bridge / Make an arch shape with hands
And next to Mr Bertram’s warehouse / Twirling/smoothing moustache action for Mr Bertram
The warehouse was full of gun powder / Make guns with fingers and point at audience
The fire engine went to Gateshead to put out the fire / Pretend on horses by bobbing up and down knees (avoiding galloping noises so children can still be heard)
Sparks and flames lit up the sky / Make stars with hands repeatedly
There were 3 small explosions / Hold up 3 fingers
And then boom / Spread out arms and shout boom
The fire spread to Newcastle (2 images) / All point in same direction to the side
Fire engines came from Sunderland, Durham and South Shields / Pretend horses again
To stop the fire they had to pull the buildings down / Reach up and pretend to pull something down
The fire lasted a day and a half / Hold up 1 finger high for the day then make a chopping motion across forearm to indicate the half
And 53 people died / Hold up 5 then 3 fingers and the pull “dead” faces.