Fresh Takes on Teaching Literary Elements: Lessons and Activities to Deepen Comprehension – Part II

Connecting Life to LiteratureAndLiterature Back to Life

Jeffrey D. WilhelmBoise State University

Theory: Understanding Theory: Understanding SettingSetting

n Activity Theory/CHATActivity Theory/CHATn Any human activity- both internal and external - is Any human activity- both internal and external - is

in fact allowed, encouraged, and shaped by in fact allowed, encouraged, and shaped by situations and the social dynamics of the situations and the social dynamics of the particular situation in which it occurs particular situation in which it occurs

n All human activity governed by cultural goals and All human activity governed by cultural goals and rulesrules

n Situated CognitionSituated Cognitionn All learning is situated and is coproduced by the All learning is situated and is coproduced by the

setting and situation – Herbert Simonsetting and situation – Herbert Simon’’s scissorss scissorsn (info-transmission and standardized testing are (info-transmission and standardized testing are

just two examples of how current cognitive just two examples of how current cognitive science in violated in schools)science in violated in schools)

Essential Questions for Essential Questions for SettingSettingn How does culture (or other settings) How does culture (or other settings)

shape who we are?shape who we are?n What do we need to know to live in What do we need to know to live in

Indonesian culture?Indonesian culture?n To what extent does time and place To what extent does time and place

dictate who you are and what you can do?dictate who you are and what you can do?n To what extent is the American dream To what extent is the American dream

accessible to all?accessible to all?n What is a hero, according to the Greeks What is a hero, according to the Greeks

vs. the Romans?vs. the Romans?n Reframe a unit so it focuses on setting . . . Reframe a unit so it focuses on setting . . .

Setting: A HeuristicSetting: A Heuristicn Levels of settingLevels of settingn Microculture: your classroomMicroculture: your classroomn Mesoculture: your school and communityMesoculture: your school and communityn Macroculture: the political and cultural Macroculture: the political and cultural

situation of U.S.A. in 2009situation of U.S.A. in 2009n Microculture: East EggMicroculture: East Eggn Mesoculture: East Coast of U.S.Mesoculture: East Coast of U.S.n Macroculture: The Power Structure of Macroculture: The Power Structure of

Wealth and Status during the 1920sWealth and Status during the 1920s

Setting asSetting as

n Physical locationPhysical locationn Think of your own life. You are invited to a party. Think of your own life. You are invited to a party.

Is it the address that counts? The street itself? Is it the address that counts? The street itself? The neighborhood? The traffic, which side of the The neighborhood? The traffic, which side of the tracks the address is on, what properties abut tracks the address is on, what properties abut the property, whether it is an area of industry, the property, whether it is an area of industry, business or homes? Depending on various business or homes? Depending on various considerations, it will depend. And depending considerations, it will depend. And depending on what topic, conflict, or point will be explored on what topic, conflict, or point will be explored or expressed in a story, writers and readers will or expressed in a story, writers and readers will need to attend to different details.need to attend to different details...

Setting asSetting as

n Temporal: the period or era; the Temporal: the period or era; the duration of time the story spansduration of time the story spans

n Past, present, future or Past, present, future or hypothetical/fantastical past, present hypothetical/fantastical past, present or futureor future

n ““The Story of an HourThe Story of an Hour””, , One Day in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Legends the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Legends of the Fallof the Fall

Setting asSetting as

n Social and Psychological; the human Social and Psychological; the human dimensiondimension

n This includes the mood/feeling of the This includes the mood/feeling of the setting, the culture and cultural setting, the culture and cultural constraints of the setting, and the constraints of the setting, and the resulting effect on characters resulting effect on characters

Beer Alley vs. Gin LaneBeer Alley vs. Gin Lane