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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/refugee-by-alan-gratz/setting
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
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 and timelines as is the case in Refugee by Alan Gratz. In order to help students keep track of each setting, they can create a storyboard that describes the where and when of each setting.. The template provided allows for multiple settings, and students can add or remove as necessary. This is also a great assignment for students to do research about the time periods in which each story takes place in order to better understand their historical context beyond what is provided in the novel.
Template and Class Instructions
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the different settings in the book, Refugee.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the three main settings in Refugee.
- In the "time" and "place" rows, use evidence from the text to describe the three different settings and the characters' journeys.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate your points.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Setting
Simplified rubric for setting
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting Description | The student effectively describes the setting by identifying the place, time, and atmosphere. | The student describes two elements of the setting. | The student describes only one aspect of the setting. |
| Appearance | Final product contains accurate visual depictions of setting and characters. | Final product demonstrates an effort to accurately portray settings and characters though some aspects are confusing and/or inaccurate. | Final product contains irrelevant images. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
Lesson Plan Overview
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 and timelines as is the case in Refugee by Alan Gratz. In order to help students keep track of each setting, they can create a storyboard that describes the where and when of each setting.. The template provided allows for multiple settings, and students can add or remove as necessary. This is also a great assignment for students to do research about the time periods in which each story takes place in order to better understand their historical context beyond what is provided in the novel.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the different settings in the book, Refugee.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the three main settings in Refugee.
- In the "time" and "place" rows, use evidence from the text to describe the three different settings and the characters' journeys.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate your points.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Setting
Simplified rubric for setting
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting Description | The student effectively describes the setting by identifying the place, time, and atmosphere. | The student describes two elements of the setting. | The student describes only one aspect of the setting. |
| Appearance | Final product contains accurate visual depictions of setting and characters. | Final product demonstrates an effort to accurately portray settings and characters though some aspects are confusing and/or inaccurate. | Final product contains irrelevant images. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
How Tos about Setting in Refugee
1
Organize key events by setting for deeper understanding
Help students break down the novel by having them list major plot events under each setting. This encourages critical thinking about how the setting influences what happens and helps students see connections between place, time, and character actions.
2
Guide students to use a timeline alongside their storyboard
Encourage students to create a simple timeline that matches major events with each setting. Visual timelines help students track the sequence of events and see how the settings shift over the course of the story.
3
Prompt research on real-world historical context
Assign students a brief research task about each setting's historical background. Connecting fiction to real history builds empathy and deeper comprehension of the challenges faced by the characters.
4
Facilitate peer sharing of setting maps
Arrange for students to present their setting maps to classmates. Sharing interpretations helps students learn from each other and notice different details in the text.
Frequently Asked Questions about Setting in Refugee
What are the main settings in Refugee by Alan Gratz?
Refugee by Alan Gratz features three main settings: 1930s Nazi Germany, 1990s Cuba, and 2015 Syria. Each setting follows a young refugee’s journey, highlighting the historical context and challenges faced in each time and place.
How can students keep track of multiple settings in Refugee?
Students can create a storyboard that identifies the time and place for each main setting in Refugee. Using a template, they can organize their ideas visually and add evidence from the text to support their descriptions.
What is a setting map activity for Refugee?
A setting map activity asks students to chart the different locations and time periods in Refugee. This helps them visualize the journeys of each character and understand the historical context surrounding their stories.
Why is understanding the setting important in historical fiction like Refugee?
Understanding the setting helps students grasp the historical events and cultural backgrounds that shape the characters’ experiences in Refugee. It deepens comprehension and empathy for real-world refugee stories.
How can teachers use storyboards to teach settings in Refugee?
Teachers can assign storyboard projects where students identify and illustrate the main settings in Refugee. This visual approach encourages engagement, research, and close reading of the novel’s historical details.
More Storyboard That Activities
Refugee
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
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https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/refugee-by-alan-gratz/setting
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© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
