Lesson

Developing Narrative Settings Nurture students’ creativity—and their grasp on setting—with a fiction writing activity about a historical moment in the White House.

Objective Ask: What makes a story • For students of any age: Students will write narratives, interesting? Have students brainstorm » Print and distribute The Places focusing on setting, and 1and collect answers on the board and Spaces of the White House apply the writing process (examples: characters who seem real, resource sheet as a cheat sheet. (planning, revising, and editing) to their work. intriguing settings, colorful details, » Alternately, print photos and humor, compelling conflict, etc). Focus descriptions of each room and Standards on setting (where and when a story takes post around the classroom for CCSS ELA, Grs. 6–8 place), and prompt students to explain students to choose from. CCRA.W.3 what it is. Come up with a definition Write narratives about Hand out the Craft a White House based on student answers and write it on imagined events with details Story activity sheet to guide students the board. and well-structured sequences 5in brainstorming and planning specific CCRA.W.5 Discuss why setting impacts story elements. Students may need to Develop writing by planning, a story. Have students consider conduct additional research on their revising, editing, and rewriting how a favorite novel would have gone room’s setting and time period. CCRA.W.7 2 differently if it had taken place in another Conduct short research projects Assign students to draft and room, country, or time period. For with focused questions revise in class or at home (set a example, how might Hansel and Gretel’s length guideline). Once their narratives Time story be different if they had gotten lost 6 are finalized, create a class book or 120 minutes in a castle...or in 2019 with GPS phones? invite other classes to “visit the White Materials How does the dialogue in a story about House” for a read-aloud publishing party • Access to the internet a fight with a friend play out if it happens in your classroom. (alternately, library time during class versus the cafeteria; or in for students to research) 1930 versus today? • Craft a White House Story activity sheet Tell students they will be writing Supporting All Learners • The Places and Spaces a story, and using a room of the To increase the challenge: of the White House White House during a historic time Instruct students to write two possible resource sheet 3 period as their setting. As they plan their endings, basing them on two different story, they should consider how setting, decisions a character could make at the character, and plot intertwine and turning point of the story. Increase the impact one another. challenge further by having students introduce a second White House room. Research: Students will research a few White House rooms—and what To decrease the challenge: 4they were like in a different historical time Have students “write what they know” period—to gather details for their story using a conflict from their own lives and setting. To kick off, show the classroom tweaking it for a White House setting. poster and discuss the floor plan. They can base characters on people in • For students over 13, direct them their own lives who don’t live or work at to bit.ly/WH-Rooms to see individual the White House. rooms (click on a photo to see a room’s details). Activity Sheet

Name Craft a White House Story On a separate piece of paper, plan out the important elements of your story, like setting, character, and plot. Once you’ve outlined everything, start writing.

Story genre Main characters Plot summary Choose mystery, fantasy, Write down a couple of Use the plot arc stages: 1 historical fiction, humor, etc. 3 words or images to describe 5 exposition, rising action, their character traits. conflict, turning point, Setting and resolution. Describe the specific Conflict 2 room in the White House You can expand on one Resolution by considering: 4 of these problems: How does the main • Room purpose, such as • Between characters 6 character fix the problem? public state dinners, private (example: one person Extra details you meetings, playroom, wants power over another) want to include: workers working, etc. • Inside one character • Room details, such as size, (example: the protagonist decorations, color, history, can’t decide whether to artifacts displayed there, etc. do the right thing) • Time period details, such • External event that the as what technology was character must deal with available, how people (example: something dressed, etc. was stolen)

WRITING TIP Be sure to blend your story elements by having the characters interact with the setting and making the surroundings part of the plot.