The setting of a story is the location and time, or the where and when. Settings often play a crucial role especially in the case of historical fiction or when there are multiple places as is the case in the book Other Words for Home. In this activity, students will create a setting chart to describe and illustrate the where and when for the novel. The story begins on a beautiful coastal town in Syria but the Civil War forces the main character, Jude, to flee to the United States where she lives with her uncle in Ohio.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the different settings in the book Other Words for Home.
Student Instructions:
Transform your reading session by turning setting exploration into an interactive scavenger hunt. Students will actively search for clues about time and place as they read, making the story come alive and boosting their comprehension.
Write brief clues or quotes from the book that hint at different settings on index cards. These cards help students focus on key details and guide them as they read or listen.
Hand out setting clue cards to students or small groups. Explain that as you read, they should listen for information matching their clues and signal when they find a match.
Read passages from the novel aloud. Invite students to share when they spot a setting detail, discuss why it fits, and add it to a shared class chart or map.
Facilitate a class discussion about how each setting influences Jude's feelings and choices. This reflection deepens understanding and helps students connect setting to theme and character development.
Other Words for Home is set primarily in a coastal town in Syria and later in Ohio, USA. The story highlights Jude's transition from her homeland to her new life in America, emphasizing the contrast between these two places.
Students can create a setting chart by identifying key locations and times in the book, then illustrating or describing each one. Use scenes, images, and short descriptions to map out Jude's journey from Syria to Ohio.
The setting shapes Jude's experiences and growth, highlighting cultural differences and the challenges of immigration. The shift from Syria to the U.S. is central to understanding the story's themes of identity and belonging.
A setting map activity asks students to visually represent the different places and times in a story, helping them better understand the plot and the significance of each location in the narrative.
Encourage students to use both text and illustrations, connect settings to character emotions, and discuss how changes in location affect the story. Using graphic organizers or storyboards can make the lesson more engaging.