Compare and Contrast: Settings

Compare and Contrast: Settings "What's wrong!?" "Nothing it's just, my Grandma and I used to make cookies together. I would always try and remember all of the ingredients when we made them, and she would always say,'you're a smart cookie!'." Ari is remembering a time when they made cookies in a different setting. The setting is WHERE and WHEN the story takes place.

The setting of a story can change the MOOD or TONE, which can affect the emotions or opinions of the reader. Stories often have more than one setting. Let's compare and contrast each setting using THIS comparison chart. HERE we label the first setting, Ari's kitchen. HERE we label the second setting, Grandma's kitchen. Next, label the middle section BOTH, since we will use it to record what each setting has in common. Now let's look at the settings again and think: how are they alike? Both settings involve Ari making cookies in a kitchen, so we record this under BOTH. Now think: how are they different? The first setting in Ari's kitchen takes place in the present, so record that here. The second setting, Grandma's kitchen, takes place in the past, which we record here. Also, Grandma appears in her kitchen, but not in Ari's, so we note that here. Let's also include Zayd in Ari's kitchen, but not Grandma's, HERE. What do you notice about the mood of each setting and why? The mood in Ari's kitchen is a little bit sad because they are remembering their Grandma. You may also notice that the illustration is a little dark and gloomy, and Ari's facial expression is sad, so we record sad, dark, and gloomy under Ari's kitchen. The mood in Grandma's kitchen is happy, because Ari is having fun baking cookies with her. You may also notice that the illustration is bright, and Ari's facial expression looks happy, so we record bright and happy under Grandma's kitchen. Are there any other details in the settings that are different? Ari's kitchen does not have an oven, but Grandma's does, so we record 'no oven' under Ari's kitchen and 'oven' under Grandma's kitchen. Wait, if Ari's kitchen doesn't have an oven how will they bake the cookies? Before we find out, let's summarise. Remember, a setting is where and when a story takes place. The setting can change the mood or tone of a story. Stories often have more than one setting, and we can compare and contrast different settings using a comparison chart. First, label the settings on each side, and label the middle BOTH. Next look at the the settings again and think: 'how are they alike?' and record it under BOTH. Finally, look at the the settings again and think: 'how are they different?' and record it under each setting. "Alright, the cookie dough is finished, but how are we going to bake them?" "Don't you worry, I've got it covered!" "Zayd, WAIT!" "Oh no, Ari I'm so sorry!" "Perfect! They're nice and burnt just the way Grandma always made them! She would be so proud!"