Character and Setting

Character and Setting

What students learn

Students learn that characters are who the story is about and setting is when and where the story happens. Start with Character: Who Is in the Story? and Character: Think, Feel, and Act to notice the people, animals, or creatures that make the story move.

Why it matters

Characters and setting help readers picture the story and keep track of what is happening. Watch Setting: When and Where Does It Happen? to see how a story can happen in a school, a park, a forest, or another place at a certain time.

Learn the idea

A good reader asks two quick questions: Who is in the story? Where and when does it happen? Then look for clues in the words and pictures. Setting: Use Picture and Word Clues helps students use both text and illustrations to name the setting clearly.

Try it

Read a short story or picture book. Ask the child to tell you the characters first, then the setting. If they name only one clue, ask for one more detail from the page.

Parent guide

Use very short stories at home, including bedtime books and read-alouds. If the child mixes up character and setting, slow down and ask, "Who is in the story?" and "Where and when does it happen?" Those two questions build a strong base for later comprehension.