Activity Overview
The setting of a story is the location and time frame, or the where and when of the story. Settings often play a crucial role in the story as they influence the characters, their motivations and their actions. The setting can include the environment, weather as well as the social and political factors within the time period both locally and globally. In the case of Echo, the setting informs each character's experience, as well as the path the harmonica took throughout time and space. In this activity, students will create a setting chart to identify time and place in Echo. Teachers may ask students to illustrate the setting of one of the stories, or create a comprehensive storyboard that includes the setting for each story.
Setting in Echo
| Story | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Friedrich's Story | Friedrich's story takes place in 1933 during Hitler's rise to power. The reader witnesses the introduction of intimidation tactics and many laws that discriminated against and harmed Jews and any one who Hitler deemed to be not of "pure German ancestry". Anyone who opposed Hitler and the Nazi party risked being arrested, brutalized, killed, and sent to a concentration camp such as Dachau. | Friedrich's story is set in Trossingham, Germany in the south of the country near the Black Forest. In the story, Friedrich, his father and Uncle Gunter work in a Harmonica factory. In reality, Trossingham is where the famous Hohner Harmonica company was founded. |
| Mike’s Story | Mike's story is set in 1935. At the time, harmonica music and particularly the Blues is popular. During the Great Depression in the United States, many people were poor and out of work. There were many orphans in the home where Mike and his brother lived and the corrupt head mistress used them to make money for herself. | Mike's story is set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mike and his brother, Frankie, live in an orphanage called Bishop's in a rural area. Later they go to live with Mrs. Sturbridge in her mansion in the city. |
| Ivy’s Story | Ivy's story takes place in 1942 during WWII, after the U.S. declared war on Japan. Ivy's brother, Fernando, Kenny Yamamoto, and the Ward brothers have enlisted to fight. At the same time, Japanese Americans like the Yamamoto family have been stripped of their civil liberties and forcibly sent away to concentration camps throughout the country. | Ivy's story is set in Southern California. The family moves from Fresno County to Orange Country. Ivy is shocked when she is not allowed to attend the main school as it is segregated and children of Mexican descent are forced to attend a dilapidated school farther away. |
| Ivy’s Story | Otto's story is said to be "50 years before the war to end all wars." This means it is 50 years before World War I, or around 1864. The story of Eins, Zwei, and Drei is set many years before that and as it is a fairy tale, it is not specified but rather, 'Once upon a time', or in this case "long before enchantment was eclipsed by doubt." | Otto's story takes place in the countryside near Trossingham in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, which is by the Black Forest and near the Swiss Alps. Otto hides in the Black Forest and it is there that he encounters Eins, Zwei, and Drei. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the setting in the book.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the different times and places in the story Echo.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate each aspect of the setting.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 15 Points | Beginning 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting Description | The student effectively describes the setting by identifying the place, time, and atmosphere. | The student describes two elements of the setting. | The student describes only one aspect of the setting. |
| Role of Setting | The student effectively identifies how the setting contributes to the development of plot, characters, mood, and theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of two aspects of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of one aspect of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. |
| Shifts in Setting | The student identifies how the setting shifts and the effect this change has on plot, character, mood and theme development. | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on two aspects of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on one aspect of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). |
| Appearance | Final product contains accurate visual depictions of setting and characters. | Final product demonstrates an effort to accurately portray settings and characters though some aspects are confusing and/or inaccurate. | Final product contains irrelevant images. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
Activity Overview
The setting of a story is the location and time frame, or the where and when of the story. Settings often play a crucial role in the story as they influence the characters, their motivations and their actions. The setting can include the environment, weather as well as the social and political factors within the time period both locally and globally. In the case of Echo, the setting informs each character's experience, as well as the path the harmonica took throughout time and space. In this activity, students will create a setting chart to identify time and place in Echo. Teachers may ask students to illustrate the setting of one of the stories, or create a comprehensive storyboard that includes the setting for each story.
Setting in Echo
| Story | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Friedrich's Story | Friedrich's story takes place in 1933 during Hitler's rise to power. The reader witnesses the introduction of intimidation tactics and many laws that discriminated against and harmed Jews and any one who Hitler deemed to be not of "pure German ancestry". Anyone who opposed Hitler and the Nazi party risked being arrested, brutalized, killed, and sent to a concentration camp such as Dachau. | Friedrich's story is set in Trossingham, Germany in the south of the country near the Black Forest. In the story, Friedrich, his father and Uncle Gunter work in a Harmonica factory. In reality, Trossingham is where the famous Hohner Harmonica company was founded. |
| Mike’s Story | Mike's story is set in 1935. At the time, harmonica music and particularly the Blues is popular. During the Great Depression in the United States, many people were poor and out of work. There were many orphans in the home where Mike and his brother lived and the corrupt head mistress used them to make money for herself. | Mike's story is set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mike and his brother, Frankie, live in an orphanage called Bishop's in a rural area. Later they go to live with Mrs. Sturbridge in her mansion in the city. |
| Ivy’s Story | Ivy's story takes place in 1942 during WWII, after the U.S. declared war on Japan. Ivy's brother, Fernando, Kenny Yamamoto, and the Ward brothers have enlisted to fight. At the same time, Japanese Americans like the Yamamoto family have been stripped of their civil liberties and forcibly sent away to concentration camps throughout the country. | Ivy's story is set in Southern California. The family moves from Fresno County to Orange Country. Ivy is shocked when she is not allowed to attend the main school as it is segregated and children of Mexican descent are forced to attend a dilapidated school farther away. |
| Ivy’s Story | Otto's story is said to be "50 years before the war to end all wars." This means it is 50 years before World War I, or around 1864. The story of Eins, Zwei, and Drei is set many years before that and as it is a fairy tale, it is not specified but rather, 'Once upon a time', or in this case "long before enchantment was eclipsed by doubt." | Otto's story takes place in the countryside near Trossingham in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, which is by the Black Forest and near the Swiss Alps. Otto hides in the Black Forest and it is there that he encounters Eins, Zwei, and Drei. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the setting in the book.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the different times and places in the story Echo.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate each aspect of the setting.
- Write a description for each cell.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 20 Points | Emerging 15 Points | Beginning 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting Description | The student effectively describes the setting by identifying the place, time, and atmosphere. | The student describes two elements of the setting. | The student describes only one aspect of the setting. |
| Role of Setting | The student effectively identifies how the setting contributes to the development of plot, characters, mood, and theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of two aspects of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. | The student is able to identify how the setting contributes to the development of one aspect of the novel: plot, characters, mood, or theme. |
| Shifts in Setting | The student identifies how the setting shifts and the effect this change has on plot, character, mood and theme development. | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on two aspects of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). | The student is able to identify how the setting shifts, and the effect this shift has on one aspect of the development of the novel (plot, character, mood, or theme). |
| Appearance | Final product contains accurate visual depictions of setting and characters. | Final product demonstrates an effort to accurately portray settings and characters though some aspects are confusing and/or inaccurate. | Final product contains irrelevant images. |
| Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation | Final product is free of spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. | Final product contains up to three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar that do not alter the meaning of the text. | Final product contains more than three errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. |
How Tos about Setting in Echo
Organize a setting walk in your classroom
Transform your classroom into different settings from Echo by using posters, props, and music. Guide students as they 'walk' through each setting, noticing details and discussing how each environment shapes the story.
Assign students to create setting diaries
Ask students to write short diary entries from a character's point of view, focusing on how the setting affects their day. Encourage them to include specific details about time, place, and mood for deeper understanding.
Facilitate collaborative setting maps
Divide students into small groups and provide large chart paper or digital tools. Have each group illustrate and label a different story setting, then present their maps to the class for comparison and discussion.
Prompt students to connect settings to emotions
Guide students to identify emotions characters might feel in each setting. Ask them to share examples and highlight how the environment influences characters’ actions and feelings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Setting in Echo
What is the setting in the book Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan?
The setting in Echo spans several locations and time periods, including 1930s Germany, 1930s Philadelphia, 1940s California, and 1860s Germany. Each story's setting shapes the characters' experiences and the journey of the harmonica throughout the novel.
How does the setting influence the characters in Echo?
The setting in Echo deeply affects characters' motivations, challenges, and actions. Historical events like WWII, the Great Depression, and segregation directly shape each character's struggles and decisions, making the setting crucial to the story's impact.
What are some historical events that impact the setting in Echo?
Major historical events in Echo include Hitler's rise to power in 1930s Germany, the Great Depression in the U.S., WWII and the treatment of Japanese Americans, and references to 19th-century Europe. These events create unique backdrops for each character's story.
How can students map the settings for each story in Echo?
Students can create a setting chart or storyboard by identifying the time and place for each story, adding illustrations or descriptions for key scenes, and noting how the setting influences the narrative. This helps visualize the different environments across the novel.
Why is understanding setting important when teaching Echo to middle schoolers?
Understanding setting helps students connect historical context with character actions and themes. It encourages empathy and deeper analysis of how time and place influence stories, making lessons about Echo more engaging and meaningful for grades 6-8.
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