There are two settings in the story. The prairie, where the events of the story take place, and Maine, where Sarah is from, and which can be seen in her vivid illustrations of the sea.
In this activity, students will use information from the text to compare and contrast the prairie and the sea.
Here is an example of the differences between the Prairie and the Sea:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the settings in Sarah, Plain and Tall.
Transform your room into sections that represent the prairie and the sea. Use props, images, or sounds to immerse students in each setting. Experiencing the differences firsthand helps students notice details and deepens understanding.
Ask students to list what they might see, hear, smell, and feel in both the prairie and sea settings. Encouraging sensory language makes comparisons more vivid and memorable.
Draw a large Venn diagram and place details from the text into each circle. Highlight similarities and differences to visually reinforce the comparison process. Visual aids help students organize their thoughts clearly.
Invite students to illustrate or write a short paragraph about a day in each setting. Creative activities let students connect personally and show their understanding in unique ways.
Hold a class discussion to share insights from the activity. Reflecting together helps reinforce key learning points and builds communication skills among students.
Sarah, Plain and Tall features two main settings: the prairie, where the story takes place, and Maine, where Sarah is from. The prairie is described as wide and open, while Maine is depicted through Sarah’s memories of the sea.
The prairie is characterized by grass, fields, dirt roads, and freshwater ponds, located in the middle of the country. The sea is marked by salt water, sand dunes, shells, and sea birds along the coast. Both settings are vast, but differ in landscape, climate, and sensory details.
Students can use a template to list characteristics of the prairie in one column and the sea in another. Illustrate each setting with scenes or items from the story, highlighting both similarities and differences as described in the text.
The setting shapes the characters’ experiences and emotions. Comparing the prairie and the sea helps students understand Sarah’s feelings of homesickness and adaptation, making the story more relatable and deepening comprehension.
Use a visual organizer like a Venn diagram or storyboard to list and illustrate differences and similarities between the prairie and the sea. Encourage discussion and creative drawing to support engagement and critical thinking.