Activity Overview
The setting of a story is the location and time, or the where and when. Settings often play a crucial role almost as is the case in the book Return to Sender where the Cruz family moved from Mexico to North Carolina to Vermont. In this activity, students can map the different settings in the book in a storyboard and include illustrations and descriptions. They should be sure to explain how each setting affected the characters and story.
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 different settings in the book Return to Sender.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the settings in Return to Sender.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate each 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, or the where and when. Settings often play a crucial role almost as is the case in the book Return to Sender where the Cruz family moved from Mexico to North Carolina to Vermont. In this activity, students can map the different settings in the book in a storyboard and include illustrations and descriptions. They should be sure to explain how each setting affected the characters and story.
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 different settings in the book Return to Sender.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the settings in Return to Sender.
- Add appropriate scenes, items, textables, etc. to illustrate each 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 Illustrating Setting in Return to Sender
Organize a classroom discussion about how setting impacts character decisions
Begin by asking students to share examples from Return to Sender where the setting shaped what the characters did or felt. Guide the discussion by pointing out specific locations (like Vermont or Mexico) and asking how each influenced choices, challenges, or emotions. Encourage students to connect setting to real-life experiences for deeper understanding.
Create anchor charts to visualize settings and their effects
Work with your class to make a large anchor chart for each major setting in the story. List key details about each place and describe how it impacted the characters. Let students add sticky notes with their own observations or questions to make the chart interactive and engaging.
Assign small group research on real-world settings from the book
Divide students into groups and assign each a real-world setting featured in Return to Sender (e.g., rural Vermont, Mexican towns). Have them research facts and cultural aspects about their setting and share findings with the class. This helps students connect fiction to reality.
Encourage students to write journal entries from a character’s perspective
Ask students to choose a character and write a short journal entry about living in one of the story’s settings. Prompt them to describe the sights, sounds, and feelings of that place, and how it affects their actions. This activity deepens empathy and setting analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Illustrating Setting in Return to Sender
What is the setting of Return to Sender?
The setting of Return to Sender includes several locations: the Cruz family moves from Mexico to North Carolina and then to Vermont. These places and the time period deeply influence the story’s characters and events.
How can students illustrate the settings in Return to Sender?
Students can create a storyboard that maps out each setting from the book. For every location, they should add illustrations and write brief descriptions explaining how that setting impacts the characters and plot.
Why is setting important in Return to Sender?
The setting is crucial in Return to Sender because it shapes the characters’ experiences and drives the story. Each location brings unique challenges and changes, highlighting themes like migration and adaptation.
What is a setting map activity for middle school students?
A setting map activity asks students to identify and illustrate each major location in a story, then describe how these settings affect the characters. This helps students better understand the story’s context and themes.
What are some tips for teaching setting with Return to Sender?
Use storyboards to visually map settings, encourage discussion about how each place changes the characters, and connect the settings to real-world themes like migration. This makes the lesson more engaging for middle schoolers.
More Storyboard That Activities
Return to Sender
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
