Er zijn twee instellingen in het verhaal. New York, waar de meeste van de gebeurtenissen van het verhaal zich af (Times Square en Chinatown) en Connecticut, waar de Chester vandaan komt.
In deze activiteit, zullen de studenten informatie uit de tekst te gebruiken om te vergelijken en het contrast van de twee instellingen
Hier is een voorbeeld:
(Deze instructies kunnen volledig worden aangepast. Nadat u op "Activiteit kopiëren" hebt geklikt, werkt u de instructies bij op het tabblad Bewerken van de opdracht.)
Maak een storyboard waarin je de instellingen in het verhaal vergelijkt en contrasteert.
Visualizing and mapping story settings empowers students to make stronger text-to-self and text-to-world connections, deepening their comprehension and engagement.
Begin by identifying and listing the important details of each setting as a group. This helps students notice differences and similarities, and provides background knowledge for mapping.
Demonstrate how to sketch a basic outline of both New York and Connecticut using clues from the text. Encourage students to label places and features, such as Times Square, the willow tree, or the brook, to reinforce spatial awareness.
Invite students to draw and label their own versions of each setting on paper or digitally. Suggest they add characters or items from the story for extra detail. This makes the settings memorable and personal.
Have students display their maps around the room. Lead a brief walk where they can observe each other's work and discuss how the contrasting settings affect the story and characters. This encourages reflection and community building.
To compare and contrast the settings in 'The Cricket in Times Square', examine the differences and similarities between New York City (Times Square and Chinatown) and Connecticut, Chester's home. Use quotes from the text to highlight unique features of each location, such as the bustling city versus peaceful nature, and discuss how these settings affect the story and characters.
The main differences are that New York is busy, noisy, and full of lights and people, while Connecticut is quiet, natural, and calm, featuring willow trees and brooks. These contrasting environments shape Chester the cricket's experiences and feelings in the story.
Students can illustrate the settings by drawing key scenes from New York (like Times Square’s bright lights) and Connecticut (such as the willow tree and brook). Including characters and important items from each place helps show the differences visually.
Comparing the two settings is important because it helps students see how environment influences characters and plot. Chester’s reactions to New York’s excitement compared to his peaceful life in Connecticut show how setting affects mood and choices.
For New York: “The sight was too terrible and beautiful for a cricket who up to now had measured high things by the height of his willow tree and sounds by the burble of a running brook.” For Connecticut: “I lived inside an old tree stump, next to a willow tree, and I often go up to the roof to look around… there’s a brook that runs past.” These quotes highlight the contrast between the two places.