Setting The “When” and “Where”

What is setting? The setting of a story, especially a fictional story, answers the questions: The setting of a story, especially a fictional story, answers the questions: Where is this story taking place? Where is this story taking place? When is this story taking place? When is this story taking place?

Where The “Where” of a story is usually very specific. The “Where” of a story is usually very specific. For example: For example: School School A cliff A cliff A spaceship A spaceship A forest A forest home home

When The “When” of a story can be broken down into two parts: The “When” of a story can be broken down into two parts: Time of day or year- nighttime, daytime, summer, spring, winter, fall Time of day or year- nighttime, daytime, summer, spring, winter, fall Time Continuum- Past, Present, Future Time Continuum- Past, Present, Future “When” can be specifically stated in the story, such as a specific year, month, and/or day- 1942, or April 4. “When” can be specifically stated in the story, such as a specific year, month, and/or day- 1942, or April 4.

When- Past When a fictional story takes place in the distant past, it is called HISTORICAL FICTION. When a fictional story takes place in the distant past, it is called HISTORICAL FICTION. Historical fiction is fiction…a story that is not true…but it contains people, things, events from the past that were real. Historical fiction is fiction…a story that is not true…but it contains people, things, events from the past that were real. EX: Magic Tree House contains non- fictional elements, but the story is make- believe. EX: Magic Tree House contains non- fictional elements, but the story is make- believe.

When- Present When a fictional story takes place in the present, it is considered REALISTIC FICTION. When a fictional story takes place in the present, it is considered REALISTIC FICTION. Realistic fiction seems REAL. Realistic fiction seems REAL. The characters and events are fictional, but they seem they could really exist and happen…especially since it takes place in the present (in the now). The characters and events are fictional, but they seem they could really exist and happen…especially since it takes place in the present (in the now).

When- Future When a fictional story takes place in the future, it is considered SCIENCE FICTION. When a fictional story takes place in the future, it is considered SCIENCE FICTION. Science fiction usually contains invention or beings that do not yet exist. Science fiction usually contains invention or beings that do not yet exist. Examples: flying cars, talking robots, aliens, ray guns…STAR WARS Examples: flying cars, talking robots, aliens, ray guns…STAR WARS

Practice Tell the setting of each of the following passages. Tell the setting of each of the following passages. Remember to tell the when and the where! Remember to tell the when and the where! Also, tell what genre it is considered: Historical fiction, Realistic fiction, or Science fiction Also, tell what genre it is considered: Historical fiction, Realistic fiction, or Science fiction

What is the Setting? It was a rainy gray Saturday morning. I was bored. All of my friends were out of town, and I had nothing to do. My two little sisters, Allison and Brooke, were playing in the next room. I decided to see what they were doing. I walked into the room that they shared, and saw the bags of candy they had brought home from the party the night before. Our mother had said they shouldn’t eat too much candy, so I stooped down to pick the bags up and put them away. As soon as my hand touched them, Whoosh! I was whizzing down a red licorice slide. I was moving so quickly that everything was a giant blur. Plop! I landed on what appeared to be a deserted beach. I put my hand down to help myself up. I marveled at the strange feel of the sand. I sifted the sand through my fingers, trying to decide how it was different than regular sand. It felt more like powdered sugar than sand. Wait a minute, I thought. I tentatively placed a finger in my mouth. It WAS powdered sugar. I licked my fingers clean, and stood up to go and explore. I certainly wasn’t bored anymore!

What is the Setting? My name is Mia Lynne Lindstrom. I am a pianist. I began studying the piano when I was three years old. I am ten years old now. I play the piano in the junior orchestra at the community college. We give a concert twice a year. I am always practicing new music for the next concert. During the school year, I take four piano lessons every week from my piano teacher, Mrs. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor teaches piano lessons at the college. In the summer, I take two lessons every week. I practice playing the piano about ten hours every week. I practice very hard because I want to learn everything about playing the piano.

What is the Setting? It was a Tuesday morning in April. Ana got up early. She was going to wear her lucky blue skirt to school. She really liked that skirt. She had a new shirt to match it, and new shoes, too. After Ana got dressed, she went into the kitchen, where she could smell bacon. Ana’s father was making bacon and toast. Ana loved bacon in the morning. Ana’s mother was getting ready for work. Ana’s mother is a teacher at Ana’s school. Ana is in the second grade, and her mother teaches fourth grade.

What is the Setting? Sammy was walking home from the bus stop when he heard a hissing sound. He looked around, but he didn’t see anything. “Hiss!” Sammy heard the sound again. Then, Sammy heard a noise in the bushes. He ran over to see what it was. It was an emerald tree boa! But how could that be? Sammy lived in a city, not a rain forest. Sammy went to catch the boa. “Don’t touch me or I will squeeze you!” hissed the snake. Startled, Sammy jumped back. “YOU CAN TALK!” exclaimed Sammy. “Hiss, yessss, that is one of my many talents,” answered the snake. “But, but...” stammered Sammy. “You humans are all alike. You see a talking snake and you get tongue-tied,” stated the boa. “I need you to do something for me,” it continued. “What is that?” asked Sammy. “What do you want me to do?” “I want you to scratch my back three times. If you do, the spell will be broken. Please, do not be afraid. I have been living as a snake for 25 years. My brother had a witch cast a spell on me.”

Independent Practice Complete the worksheet on settings, thinking about how the setting that is chosen by the author affects the kind of characters that will be seen there. Complete the worksheet on settings, thinking about how the setting that is chosen by the author affects the kind of characters that will be seen there. Remember, this is for a grade and there is NO TALKING! Remember, this is for a grade and there is NO TALKING!