MyLeoNes™

Where a story happens — Literature, 4–6 years

Notice the place and time that make a story’s world feel real. Literature, 4–6 years.

Stories happen somewhere

A story has a place where its events happen and often a time as well. This place and time are called the setting. It might be a kitchen at night, a beach in summer or a forest long ago.

Why the setting matters

Readers need to know where they are so they can imagine what is possible. A snowstorm makes a mountain path difficult, while a sunny garden may be easy to cross. The setting gives the story a world instead of a blank space.

Spotting the setting

Read this small scene: “Mia puts on boots. Rain taps the window, and muddy puddles cover the garden.” First, ask where: it is a house beside a garden. Next, ask when or what the weather is like: it is a rainy day. Those clues make the setting clear.

A picture is not the only clue

It is reasonable to use the picture first, because it is easy to notice. But words can tell us that a place is cold, noisy, underground or far away even when the picture does not show it. Look at the picture and listen to the words together.

Settings in real places

When you hear a story at the park, on a train or in a tent, you can notice how the place changes what can happen. A tent may be dark and cosy, while a train moves as people talk. Stories use real places in this way.

Keep exploring

Other languages

Loading MyLeoNes™…