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Pixton Lesson 4:

Setting

Learning Objective: To understand what a setting is and how to use one to help enhance a story.

Overview: In this lesson, students will explore what a setting is, how to use it, and how it can enhance a story. By the end of the lesson, students will select appropriate settings for their character and tell a story using the setting as a driving point.

Success Criteria:

  • I know what a setting is.

  • I understand that setting helps to enhance the narrative of the story.

  • I know how to select a setting to match my story.

Materials Needed:

  • A copy of the Google Slides for this lesson (see below).

  • 4 Corners posters.

  • Pixton.

Copy to my Google Slides

Lesson Plan

Minds-On:

  • Put out letters A, B, C and D in the 4 corners of your classroom.

  • Slides 2-4: Students play 4 corners. Some are easy, and some have multiple answers. They need to select the appropriate setting for the character in the middle of the slide. Be sure to ask your students to justify why they chose that corner. If they can back it up, then they are in the right spot.

  • Students have to defend their choice and explain why they are standing there.

  • Prompting questions:

    • Why did you choose that setting?

    • Why do you think your character belongs in that setting?

    • What made you choose that setting for your character?

Inquiry:

  • If you are teaching younger grades, you could work through these sections at a slower pace. 

  • Slides 6-9: Explore the basics of ‘What is a setting.’

  • Slides 10-13: Questions students can ask themselves when selecting the best setting for their story and character. These are important things to go back to if a student is stuck. 

  • Slides 14-17: These slides will explore the difference between a storybook setting and a comic book setting.

Activity:

  • Slides 18-20: Students are going to plan an adventure to one of the locations. They can pick one or more if they would like to. If you need this to be more structured, you can use the following to help guide them:

    • Panel 1: In their room packing.

    • Panel 2: At the airport or train station.

    • Panel 3: Arrive at their travel destination.

    • Panel 4: Activity at their travel location.

    • Panel 5: Thinking about leaving.

    • Panel 6: Traveling home.

  • Consolidation: Students can share where they travelled to with the class.