The setting of Julie of the Wolves plays an essential part in the novel. Students studying this book may benefit from the use of storyboards in identifying the different aspects of setting and their effect on the plot and characters. Remind students that setting includes the location, the time period, and the weather of a story. Then, ask them to create a three-cell storyboard depicting these three components of setting in the novel. Beneath each depiction, students should describe the image and explain the way that aspect of the setting contributes to the plot or character development in the novel.
The story is set in the early 1970s. This time period creates a conflict for Miyax since the ancient customs of her people are now dying out due to modernization. Even her father, Kapugen changes his way of life to fit the times.
The story is set in the Arctic tundra of Alaska. This location gives Miyax the opportunity to encounter many interesting animals, including gray wolves, caribou, grizzly bears, lemmings, and many types of birds.
Miyax stays out on the tundra for a year. During this time, the weather ranges from -25° to 40°F. The sun also goes from staying in the sky all night to disappearing for 66 days of darkness. The cold weather allows Miyax to survive in creative ways, such as using water-soaked grasses to make ice poles. The unusual sunlight makes it difficult for Miyax to measure time.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that illustrates important settings in Julie of the Wolves.
Bring the Arctic tundra to life by having students take a 'setting walk' around the classroom or school. Ask them to observe and record what they see, hear, smell, and feel, then compare these observations to descriptions from Julie of the Wolves. This activity helps students connect personally to the novel's setting and notice sensory details in the text.
Create a two-column chart where students list textual clues about setting in one column and infer how each clue impacts plot or characters in the other. Model the process with one example before students work independently or in pairs. This scaffolds critical thinking and boosts comprehension of the setting's significance.
Invite students to write a journal entry as Miyax, describing a day on the tundra, including sensory details and personal feelings about the environment. Encourage creativity and empathy by having them imagine the challenges and wonders Miyax experiences. This deepens engagement and understanding of the setting's influence.
Lead a group discussion comparing the Arctic tundra setting of Julie of the Wolves with your local environment. Ask students to identify similarities and differences, focusing on weather, animals, and daily life. This helps students relate to the novel and strengthens analytical skills.
The setting of Julie of the Wolves is the Arctic tundra of Alaska during the early 1970s. The story’s environment, time period, and extreme weather all shape the characters and plot.
The setting influences the plot by creating unique challenges for Miyax, such as harsh weather and isolation, which force her to adapt and connect with the wolves for survival, driving her personal growth and the story’s events.
The three main components of setting in Julie of the Wolves are time period (early 1970s), geographical location (Arctic tundra of Alaska), and weather (extreme cold and changing sunlight).
Students can make a three-cell storyboard showing the time period, location, and weather. For each, they illustrate the scene and describe how that aspect of setting shapes the plot or characters.
Understanding the setting helps readers see how Miyax’s environment shapes her choices and survival. It deepens comprehension of the cultural and natural challenges she faces throughout the novel.