Mini-Lesson on Setting in Historical Fiction Objective: The student will learn the significance and the role that

the setting plays in a historical fiction book. Grade Level: 5th grade School: Springfield Plains Elementary

Type of Mini-Lesson: Readers use text evidence and setting to envision the story by picturing what the place looks like, what people are wearing, and what buildings look like to enhance understanding about the time period. GLCE(s) R.MT.05.01-Self monitor comprehension when reading or listening to a text by automatically using and discussing the strategies used by mature readers to increase comprehension including: predicting, constructing mental images, visually representing ideas in text, questioning, etc. R.MT.05.02- Analyze the structure, elements, style and purpose of narrative genre including historical fiction Rationale: What do the students need to know? The students need to learn that the setting in historical fiction plays a large role in developing the plot since the story is based on an event in history. Students need to know that the setting is more than understanding when and where the story takes place, but also how this time period and setting effects specific characters actions. Students reading books based around the civil war need to understand the different perspectives and viewpoints in this time period as well as the differences of being not only an African American or white, but also the gender differences between males and females. Why do the students need to know this? Students need to know that the setting has an effect on the plot in historical fiction because the characters are making decisions based on the time period they are living in, events that are happening around them and the way that society has been established at that time. Understanding the relationship between the setting and a story will help students reach a deeper appreciation for the events in history as well as the personality, opinions and beliefs of the characters in their books. Materials: y y Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco Pencils

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Literature Circle Materials (folders and book) Time Capsule worksheet

Procedure: 1. I will invite the students to come sit on the floor and they will listen as I read a portion of the book Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco. I will tell the students to listen carefully to notice the dialogue that is exchanged between characters, the dress of the characters as well as scenery that surrounds the characters in the story. 2. As I read the story, I will stop to check for understanding and ask questions to promote thinking about the significance of the setting in the story and how it effects the characters actions and beliefs. 3. After finishing the selected portion of this picture book, I will ask students for specific examples of language that was used that represents the time period. I will ask students to identify gender roles from the time period that were evident in the story. 4. Next, I will ask students to think about the setting in their literature circle books. What impact does the setting have on the characters speech, dress, opinions, job responsibilities (gender roles) and their most prized possessions? 5. I will then share with the students that sometimes people make time capsules to preserve items that they find to be extremely valuable and bury them in the ground to dig up later. Each literature circle group will be responsible for making a list of five items that they believe would be the most important to the main character in their book. Students will be encouraged to think about how the setting and time period of the story impacts the items that are most valuable to this character. 6. Afterwards, students will continue with their literature circle meeting responsibilities. As students learn more about their main character and the setting of the story, they will be able to edit and revise their time capsule list.