Activity Overview
The setting of a story is the location and time, or the where and when. Settings often play a crucial role. In the book The Stars Beneath Our Feet, Lolly lives in the St. Nicholas Housing Projects in Harlem, a neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City. In this activity, students will map the different settings throughout the book in a storyboard and include illustrations and descriptions that discuss their importance to the story.
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 Stars Beneath Our Feet.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the settings in The Stars Beneath Our Feet.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate each setting.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 15 Points | Beginning 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Role of Setting | The student effectively identifies how the setting contributes to the development of plot, characters, mood, and theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of two aspects of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of one aspect of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. |
| Shifts in Setting | The student identifies how the setting shifts and the effect this change has on plot, character, mood and theme development. | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on two aspects of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on one aspect of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). |
| 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 Interaction Between Settings and Characters in “The Stars Beneath Our Feet”
Identify the Settings
Ask the students to read the story carefully and pay close attention to all the settings present in the story. If students are not familiar with the concept of settings, teachers can first explain this idea by providing brief definitions and examples and then ask the students to highlight all the settings including time period from the story.
Analyze Change in Behaviors
After students have identified all the major settings present in the story, ask them to analyze how the characters react to different places within the narrative. For instance, for Lolly the storage room where he builds the Lego cities with Rose becomes a place of comfort where he can forget about his past and trauma.
Examine Character Development
Help the students find out how the settings play an important role in the development of the characters. Students can track the progress of characters using storyboards and visual elements and try to understand the interaction among characters in different settings.
Account for Other Influences
Take into account social, economic, and cultural facets to analyze how the context affects the characters. Analyze how characters' decisions and ways of living are impacted by society conventions, financial circumstances, and cultural customs. All these factors are relevant to the time period and environment of the characters which students can investigate and research.
Draw Parallels
Assist students in making connections between the complexity of the real world and fictitious settings by connecting the analysis to real-world contexts. Encourage an understanding of the importance of the relationship that exists between a character's surroundings and literature. Teachers can encourage critical thinking by asking students questions about their own interactions with their environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Setting in “The Stars Beneath Our Feet”
How are the characters of the narrative impacted by the setting of Harlem?
The characters' lives are profoundly impacted by the metropolitan environment of Harlem, which shapes their opportunities, relationships, and experiences. It presents difficulties like socioeconomic gaps and encourages a resilient feeling of community.
How does the setting shape the relationships and interactions among the characters?
The relationships between the characters are greatly influenced by the surroundings. Character interactions are made richer by the way that the distinct community of Harlem influences friendships, rivalries, and alliances. Students can analyze how the characters interact with different characters throughout various settings and how it impacts their personality and development.
What role does the setting play in the themes of the novel?
The novel's main themes of community, creativity, and pursuing aspirations are all strengthened by the surroundings. The urban environment becomes essential to examining these ideas since it offers a backdrop that supports the protagonists' journeys.
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