A great way for your students to practice determining a story’s setting is for them to make a visual storyboard depicting where each chapter takes place.
In this activity, students will choose a chapter and decide on the setting. They will create the setting using the storyboard art. In the storyboard, each setting should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene. Details, characters, and textual evidence can be added to reinforce the setting.
Here is an example:
The setting of Chapter 1 is in the kitchen. The story begins in the kitchen with the dad making pudding. The story ends in the kitchen when the dad punishes the boys for eating the pudding by having them make a new one.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting settings in each chapter of The Stories Julian Tells.
Kick off a class discussion by having students present their storyboards and describe the settings they've illustrated. This encourages students to use evidence from the text and helps others visualize different scenes.
Encourage students to ask classmates why they chose certain details or locations. This helps deepen comprehension and sparks respectful dialogue about textual evidence and interpretation.
Guide students to identify similarities and differences between settings. Use a chart or board to list features, helping students see patterns and understand how settings influence the story.
Ask students to relate one of Julian's settings to a place they know. This builds empathy and personal connection to the text, making the story more meaningful.
Lead a closing reflection about how each setting affected the characters and plot. Encourage students to consider why the author chose specific places and how those choices impact the story’s message.
A setting map for 'The Stories Julian Tells' is a visual organizer where students illustrate and describe the locations where each chapter takes place. This helps students understand the story’s setting and how it influences the plot and characters.
Students can create a storyboard by choosing a chapter, identifying its setting, and then drawing scenes with characters and important details. Adding textual evidence and explanations strengthens their understanding of each setting.
Encourage students to look for clues in the text, such as descriptions of places, objects, and actions. Have them discuss their ideas and use visuals to reinforce comprehension of each setting.
Mapping the setting helps 3rd and 4th graders improve reading comprehension, visualize the story, and connect details from the text to real-life experiences, making literature more engaging and meaningful.
This setting map activity works well both individually and with partners. Collaborative work can spark discussion and creativity, while individual work allows for personal interpretation and deeper focus.