Activity 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. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley takes place at the onset of World War II, and many of the story's events are dependent upon this fact.In this activity, students will illustrate and describe the different settings of the book.
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 The War That Saved My Life.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the settings in the book, The War That Saved My Life.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate each.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RH/9-10/3] Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
- [SCI-HS-ETS1-1] Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
- [ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/1] Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
- [ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/7] Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
- [ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/9] Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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 To Analyze the Role of Setting in “The War That Saved My Life”
Discuss the Importance of Settings
Begin the lecture with a general discussion on the role of setting in a narrative. Ask the students what would happen if the setting of the story changed all of a sudden. Students can also discuss some of their favourite settings they like to write or read about. Build the lecture based on the responses of the students.
Perform Initial Research
Help the students become familiar with the era in which the narrative is set. Specifically, World War II. Recognize the socio-political environment, significant occurrences, and how they could have impacted the characters. Students can perform their research and try to find out if the setting used in the story is actually similar to the real events.
Discuss the Significance of WW2
Describe how the conflict affects the lives and experiences of the characters. For instance, Ada and Jamie must be evacuated when explosions in London are a possibility. Students can also discuss how the title and the narrative also talk about war and how Ada and Jamie’s lives were saved by the war.
Connect the Characters and Setting
What interactions do the characters have with their surroundings? How does the place they are living at impact their lives For instance, Ada’s trauma because of her mother’s abuse could be worse at Mam’s apartment than at Susan’s place. Students can reflect on these questions and discuss them with fellow students to gather more insights.
Reflect and Discuss
Encourage the students to further discuss how wars impact the lives of people and what would have happened to Ada, Jamie and Susan if the story was not set during the World War. Discuss other major parts of the setting as well such as Mam’s apartment and Susan’s place both had different interactions with Ada and Jamie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Setting in The War That Saved My Life
Where does "The War That Saved My Life" mostly take place?
The two primary locations of the novel are Ada, Jamie, and Susan's shelter, a little town in the English countryside, and London, England, during World War II. Ada and Jamie escape London in search of a home and some independence and to move far away from their mother’s abusive behaviour.
What impact does the story's setting in London during World War II have?
The first setting, London, represents the mayhem, anxiety, and risks of war. Children, including Ada and Jamie, are evacuated due to the ongoing bomb threat and the congested, metropolitan atmosphere due to the sense of urgency and stress created. Because of this war, Ada and Jamie can find their escape and look for a more fulfilling environment.
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