Understanding Characters and Setting in Stories
Understanding Characters and Setting in Stories Objective: Students will be able to identify characters and describe the setting in a story, meeting the K.RL.5 standard by asking and answering questions about key details.
Learning Objectives
- Identify characters in a story by name and description.
- Describe the setting using simple words.
- Ask and answer questions about the characters and setting.
Materials Needed
- A simple picture book appropriate for Kindergarten (e.g., ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’)
- Paper and crayons or markers
- Chart paper or whiteboard
- Sticky notes
Key Vocabulary
- Character
- The people, animals, or creatures in a story.
- Setting
- Where and when the story happens.
- Story
- A made-up or real tale told to entertain or teach.
Detailed Activities
Read Aloud and Discuss
- Read the picture book aloud to your child, showing the pictures clearly.
- Pause after reading to ask, ‘Who are the characters in this story?’ and ‘Where is the story taking place?’
- Write down their answers on chart paper or a whiteboard.
Draw the Characters and Setting
- Give your child paper and crayons or markers.
- Ask them to draw their favorite character from the story.
- Next, ask them to draw where the story takes place.
- Encourage them to talk about their drawings as they work.
Question and Answer Game
- Write simple questions about the story’s characters and setting on sticky notes.
- Take turns asking and answering these questions with your child.
- Praise their answers and gently guide them if they need help.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Keep the tone positive and encouraging to build your child’s confidence.
- Use simple language and repeat key vocabulary during activities.
- Allow your child plenty of time to respond and express their ideas.
Assessment Questions
- Who is one character in the story?
- Where does the story happen?
- Can you tell me something about the character you drew?
Extension Ideas
- Read another short story and compare the characters and settings with the first story.
- Create a simple puppet show using drawings of the characters and setting.
- Have your child tell their own story using the characters and setting they drew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try asking simpler questions or give choices to help guide their answers. Re-read sections of the story to reinforce understanding.
Use expressive voices and gestures when reading, and involve your child in interactive activities like drawing and games.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may confuse characters with the setting or other story elements.
- Some students might answer questions with yes/no instead of detailed responses.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Provide one-on-one support and use more visual aids.
- Break questions into smaller parts and give examples.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage them to describe characters’ feelings or why a setting is important.
- Ask them to predict what might happen next in the story.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes on reading and discussing the story.
- Allow 15 minutes for drawing and describing characters and setting.
- Use the remaining 15 minutes for the question and answer game and review.
Standards
- K.RL.5 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
Printable Worksheet
Plan Your Own Lesson
Looking for a custom lesson plan? Try our Lesson Planning Generator — create standards-based plans for any topic, instantly!
Common Core Aligned Lesson Plans
Looking for another common core lesson? See all of the lesson plans here.
More Free Lesson Plans
We’re adding more every week! Check back soon or explore all our lesson plans here.
Leave a Reply