Mapping the Story

Veola Neal

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mapping the Story

Enhance spatial thinking and geography

In this lesson, students will explore the settings of a historical fiction story by mapping them on a world map. This activity will help students understand the geographical and historical contexts of the story, enhancing their spatial thinking and visual learning skills. By connecting literature with geography, students will gain a deeper appreciation of the story's setting and its historical significance.

Audience

8th Grade Students

Time

15 mins

Approach

Enhance spatial thinking and geography

Materials

World map (physical or digital), Historical fiction book, Markers or pins, Worksheet: Story Mapping, Discussion: Historical Context, and Video: A Social Experiment on Honesty

Step 1

Introduction

2 mins

Quickly introduce the historical fiction book and its significance.
Explain the objective of mapping the story's settings to understand geography and historical context.

Step 2

Reading and Identification

3 mins

Provide a brief summary or read a very short passage that describes key settings.
Ask students to identify one or two significant settings.

Step 3

Mapping Activity

5 mins

Distribute the world map and markers/pins to students.
Guide students to locate and mark one or two significant settings on the map.
Encourage a brief discussion on the geographical locations.

Step 4

Discussion

3 mins

Briefly discuss how the geographical settings influence the story.
Use one or two discussion questions to explore the historical context.
Watch the video "A Social Experiment on Honesty" and discuss its relevance to understanding character motivations.

Step 5

Closure

2 mins

Recap the key learnings from the mapping activity.
Highlight the importance of understanding geography in historical fiction.

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Worksheet

Story Mapping Worksheet

This worksheet helps students organize and map the settings of the historical fiction story.

List one or two key settings mentioned in the story.

Consider locations that are central to the plot.

Describe the historical significance of these settings.

Think about the time period and events associated with each location.

Discussion

Historical Context Discussion

A discussion to explore the historical context of the story's settings.

How do the geographical settings influence the events in the story?

Encourage students to think about how location impacts plot development.

What historical events are associated with these settings?

Guide students to connect the story's settings with real historical events.