Outschool
Search

$19

per class
Class
Play

What Happened to Pompeii? The Eruption of Vesuvius & the Archaeology of Pompeii

Completed by 49 learners
Ages 10-15
Live One-Time Class
We will learn about the stratovolcano of Vesuvius, its type and history of eruptions, and the archaeological discoveries and methods used in the ancient city of Pompeii.
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(655 reviews)
Popular

Live video meetings
Meets once
1-15 learners per class
55 min

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
My experience as a Roman historian and archaeologist gives me a unique insight into this well known event. Join me as we look at the new discoveries and examine the ancient eruption that destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii. I am an extremely interactive and involved teacher and I am looking forward to teaching the science of Pompeii to your student. Let's get into the geology, volcanology, and archaeology of this ancient city and the catastrophic event that led to it's unique preservation. A big volcano plus archaeology equals science fun!

1. Let's get to know the city of Pompeii. How did people spend their day, eat, and live in this ancient city? We will look at the ruins and art uncovered during the ongoing excavations at Pompeii. 
2. The Beginnings of the eruption. How did the eruption start? Was there any prior warning? How much knowledge did the people of the Roman world have about volcanoes? What were the first waves of the eruption like for the city?
3. Pliny the Elder and Younger. Plinian eruption. Let's examine the eruption. How did it proceed? What's a Plinian eruption? What role did the well-known Romans, Pliny the Elder and the Younger, have in our current understanding of the 79CE eruption of Vesuvius? 
4. Carbonization of Herculaneum. Why were the effects of the eruption different in Pompeii vs Herculaneum- the neighboring town? Let's look at the carbonized remains from Herculaneum and see what they tell us about that day in 79 CE. How does carbonization work and why wasn't the paint on the plaster walls also carbonized?
5. Destruction of Pompeii and the victims. Is it possible for a brain to turn to glass? Can we preserve the victims of this 2000 year old disaster? How do the victims differ between Pompeii and Herculaneum and how can such a difference occur in the same eruption? What can we learn about the effects of the eruption from these remains?
6. The current debate. August or October? In an argument where it's History versus Archaeology... science always wins. Did you know that there is now a current archaeological/ historical debate regarding the date of the eruption that destroyed Pompeii? We have long set the date at August 24 79 CE from the letter of Pliny the Younger, but the archaeology tells a different tale. How could this happen? 

I hope you will join me as we get inside the dangerous Vesuvius and understand the nature of its eruption and the effects on the surrounding populations. This will be an Indiana Jones look into the archaeology of Pompeii and the science of the volcano that doomed it. Science and history are fun!

Learning Goals

Students will have an understanding of how the eruption process of Vesuvius and other stratovolcanoes. We will explore the individual geology and volcanology of this famous volcano. Students will also gain an understanding of the archaeological excavations in Pompeii and the scientific processes involved in order to learn more about this city locked in time from the Ancient Roman World.

Other Details

Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Joined February, 2021
4.8
655reviews
Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! I’m Sondra Rapoport, your friendly neighborhood Roman Historian and archaeologist. I live for 3 months of the year in Rome. It's my favorite city. I taught with Harvard University's Dept. of Classics for 6 years as a Head Teaching Fellow. I taught classes on The Rome of Augustus and Roman Games and won awards for distinction in teaching each semester I taught with Harvard. Now I homeschool my son and I greatly enjoy adapting my knowledge and classes designed for university level to each of his grade levels. 

Reviews

Sondra Rapoport suggests this class next...
Ancient Roman & Egyptian History Club With a Harvard Archaeologist. Homeschool.
Sondra Rapoport
4.8
(655)
$19 per class
Group Class
1/wk, 55 min
9-14

Related categories

Parents also liked
1:1 Tutoring in Archaeology & Ancient History
Susan Lanigan
4.8
(243)
$35 per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
11-18
The Young Adventurers' Society: Archaeology, Anthropology, & Ancient History
Susan Lanigan
4.8
(243)
$15 per class
Next session at 9 PM on Friday
Group Class
1/wk, 45 min
12-16
Curiosity Chronicles - Ancient History; Part 2
Cara Martin
4.8
(155)
$8 per class
Group Class
14 wks, 2/wk, 25 min
6-10
Discover the Ancient World, Homeschool History and Art - Whole Year Curriculum
Britain Earl, Historian, Artist, Lawyer
4.9
(551)
$19 per class
Next session at 8 PM today
Group Class
1/wk, 50 min
6-11
Ancient History: IEW Writing Course | Grades 3-8 | Part One
"Miss Bella" (Hannah Isabella Franklin)
4.9
(222)
$17 per class
Next session at 3 PM on Wed 9/3
Group Class
15 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
9-14
IEW Ancient History-Based Writing Semester 1
Jessica Samonds Pabon B.A., TESOL
5.0
(6)
$20 per class
Group Class
15 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
9-13
Ancient History: IEW Writing Course | Grades 3-8 | Part Two
"Miss Bella" (Hannah Isabella Franklin)
4.9
(222)
$17 per class
Group Class
15 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
9-14
Hidden History: Discover the Greeks, Romans, and Vikings
Janelle Hopkins M.Ed - World History
4.9
(364)
$15 per class
Next session at 6:15 PM today
Group Class
1 wk, 1/wk, 50 min
11-14
Mapping History: Ancient Cartography
Rick Hudgel, B.S., M.S., M.Ed.
5.0
(33)
$10 per class
Next session at 6 PM on Monday
Group Class
1 wk, 1/wk, 45 min
9-13
The Ancient Olympic Games and Ancient Olympia (Myths and History)
Spyridon (Spiros) Loumakis
4.9
(787)
$22 per class
Next session at 3 PM on Thu 3/13
Group Class
7 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
12-15
Ancient World Civilizations for High School History
Brandy Dahlen Yun and BE Education
4.9
(634)
$25 per class
Next session at 10 PM on Mon 6/2
Group Class
8 wks, 1/wk, 45 min
14-18
Homeschool Middle School Ancient World History: Early Civilizations
Janelle Hopkins M.Ed - World History
4.9
(364)
$19 per class
Next session at 5 PM on Tue 2/25
Group Class
14 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
11-14
Homeschool Middle School Ancient World History: Classical Era
Janelle Hopkins M.Ed - World History
4.9
(364)
$19 per class
Next session at 8:15 PM on Mon 8/18
Group Class
16 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
11-14
One-On-One Ancient Greek / Roman History Tutorial
Spyridon (Spiros) Loumakis
4.9
(787)
$70 per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
11-15
Experience the History of Ancient Greece Through Gaming
mark chadwick
4.9
(20)
$17 per class
Next session at 5:30 PM on Wed 3/5
Group Class
1/wk, 1 hr
12-17
Primus Summer Camp: History of Ancient Civilizations
Annette the Teacher B.A. ACE Educator
4.9
(128)
$16 per class
Next session at 7:30 PM on Mon 6/2
Group Class
1 wk, 5/wk, 50 min
8-13
See More Classes
Home
Search
Give a Gift Card
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Language & Region
Log In