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 the book Sylvia & Aki. In this activity, students will illustrate and describe the where and when of the novel. The template provided has room for two different stories, so students can describe both Sylvia and Aki's stories, or teachers may ask them to focus on one of the stories.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the different settings in the book Sylvia & Aki.
Student Instructions:
Invite students to work in pairs or small groups to create a large setting map for Sylvia & Aki. Collaboration encourages students to share perspectives, enhancing their understanding of the novel’s time and place.
Have each group brainstorm and record important locations, time periods, and context clues from the book. Pooling details ensures a thorough and accurate map.
Designate tasks like researcher, illustrator, and writer within each group. Clear roles help every student contribute and stay engaged.
Guide students as they draw, label, and decorate their setting maps using evidence from the novel. Visualizing settings deepens comprehension and makes learning interactive.
Invite groups to share their maps with the class. Discuss differences and similarities, encouraging critical thinking about the story’s settings and perspectives.
The setting of Sylvia & Aki includes Southern California during the 1940s, focusing on the experiences of two girls—Sylvia, who faces segregation in schools, and Aki, who is sent to a Japanese-American internment camp. Time and place are central to the story's themes.
Students can identify different settings by looking for clues about when and where events happen in the text. Using a storyboard or setting map helps illustrate and describe the distinct places and times in both Sylvia’s and Aki’s stories.
A setting map activity is a visual project where students illustrate and describe the key locations and periods in Sylvia & Aki. It helps students understand how setting shapes the story and characters' experiences.
Setting is crucial in historical fiction because it provides context for the events and characters. In Sylvia & Aki, the setting highlights historical realities such as segregation and internment, helping readers understand the challenges the characters face.
Examples of evidence for setting in Sylvia & Aki include descriptions of the segregated schools Sylvia attends, the internment camp where Aki lives, and specific references to 1940s California. Quoting passages or noting specific scenes helps illustrate the setting.