Setting the Scene (ELA.5.R.1.1)
What is the setting of a story?
Where and when a story takes place... time, place, and sometimes environment.
What is a theme in a story?
A theme is the lesson, message, or moral the author wants the reader to learn from the story.
What does sequence text structure mean?
A sequence text structure shows events or steps in the order they happen; usually from first to last.
What is mood in a story?
Mood is the feeling or atmosphere a reader gets while reading the story: like happiness, suspense, sadness, or excitement.
What is personification?
Personification is when an author gives human qualities to nonhuman things.
How can a change in setting change the plot of a story?
Changing the setting can change the problems, actions, and choices characters face.
For example, moving a story from a sunny beach to a stormy mountain would change what challenges the characters experience.
What is the difference between an explicit and implicit theme?
An explicit theme is stated directly in the text (like a character saying the lesson).
An implicit theme is implied, meaning readers must infer the message by thinking about what the characters learn.
Which words often signal a sequence text structure? (Name at least 3.)
Words like first, next, then, after that, finally, and last show sequence order.
What is tone in a story?
Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject; for example, serious, playful, or hopeful.
Which sentence shows personification?
A) The sun smiled down.
B) The sun was hot.
The sun cannot actually smile... that’s a human trait given to something nonhuman.
True or False: The setting only tells where a story happens.
False.
The setting includes where and when the story happens. It can also include weather, time of day, season, or historical time period.
The main character learns about perseverance and grit (not giving up) what could be a theme for this topic?
To never give up even when things are difficult.
Keep trying even when it's hard.
How does using a sequence text structure help readers understand informational text?
It helps readers follow the correct order of steps or events, making it easier to understand how things happen or how to complete a process.
How can word choice affect a story’s mood?
Bonus points: Give an example.
The author’s words help readers feel a certain way.
Example: “The night was dark and silent” creates a spooky mood, while “The stars sparkled above the city” feels calm and peaceful.
Create your own example of personification using a weather word.
Example: The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
Explain how the setting can create a conflict in a story.
The setting can create conflict when the environment causes problems for the characters: like a flood, storm, or being trapped in a desert without water.
The characters must respond to these challenges, which drives the plot.
How can a character’s choices help readers figure out the theme?
A character’s choices show what lesson they learn.
For example, if a character decides to tell the truth after lying, the theme might be honesty is the best policy.
Rewrite this sentence using sequence structure: “He built the tent after clearing the ground.”
FIRST, he cleared the ground. THEN, he built the tent.
Read this sentence:
“The trees whispered secrets in the dark.”
What mood does this create?
It creates a mysterious or eerie mood because the dark setting and “whispered secrets” sound secretive or spooky.
Why do authors use personification in writing?
Authors use personification to make descriptions more vivid and emotional, helping readers picture or feel what’s happening in the story.
A story is set in a desert instead of a rainforest. How might this affect the main character’s problem and the story’s meaning?
In a desert, the main conflict might involve heat, thirst, or survival, while a rainforest setting might involve too much rain or dangerous animals.
The change in setting changes what lesson the character learns... maybe from “sharing resources” to “preparing for survival.”
A story ends with a character realizing they should plan ahead. What universal message or theme could this represent?
The theme might be “Planning and preparation lead to success” or “It’s important to think ahead.”
A text lists the steps for a science experiment in order. What text structure is it using, and why?
It’s using a sequence text structure because the information is organized by time or steps, showing what happens first, next, and last.
Describe how mood and tone are different but connected.
Bonus Points: Give an example.
Tone is how the author feels, and mood is how the reader feels because of the author’s words.
Example: If the author’s tone is angry, the mood might feel tense or uncomfortable for the reader.
Identify the figurative meaning:
“The storm danced across the sky.”
What feeling or image does this create for the reader?
It suggests movement and power: the storm seems lively, wild, and dramatic, creating an image of energy and chaos in the reader’s mind.