Activity Overview
There are two settings in the story. The prairie, where the events of the story take place, and Maine, where Sarah is from, and which can be seen in her vivid illustrations of the sea.
In this activity, students will use information from the text to compare and contrast the prairie and the sea.
Here is an example of the differences between the Prairie and the Sea:
Prairie
- grass
- fields
- dirt roads
- middle of the country
- fresh water ponds
- "Outside, the prairie reached out and touched the places where the sky came down.”
Sea
- salt water
- sand dunes
- shells
- sea birds
- on the coast
- "The sea is salt. It stretches out as far as you can see. It gleams like the sun on glass. There are waves.”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the settings in Sarah, Plain and Tall.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- List the characteristics of the prairie in one column.
- List the things that similar and different about the sea in the second column.
- Illustrate each characteristic with appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similarities | Student identifies and explains many of the similarities between the two. | Student identifies and explains some of the similarities between the two. | Student identifies and explains few of the similarities between the two. |
| Differences | Student identifies and explains many of the differences between the two. | Student identifies and explains some of the differences between the two. | Student identifies and explains few of the differences between the two. |
| Images | Images are clear and creative. | Most images are easy to understand, but at least two images do not fit. | Images are not easy to understand. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student makes few errors. | Student makes two or three errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
There are two settings in the story. The prairie, where the events of the story take place, and Maine, where Sarah is from, and which can be seen in her vivid illustrations of the sea.
In this activity, students will use information from the text to compare and contrast the prairie and the sea.
Here is an example of the differences between the Prairie and the Sea:
Prairie
- grass
- fields
- dirt roads
- middle of the country
- fresh water ponds
- "Outside, the prairie reached out and touched the places where the sky came down.”
Sea
- salt water
- sand dunes
- shells
- sea birds
- on the coast
- "The sea is salt. It stretches out as far as you can see. It gleams like the sun on glass. There are waves.”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the settings in Sarah, Plain and Tall.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- List the characteristics of the prairie in one column.
- List the things that similar and different about the sea in the second column.
- Illustrate each characteristic with appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similarities | Student identifies and explains many of the similarities between the two. | Student identifies and explains some of the similarities between the two. | Student identifies and explains few of the similarities between the two. |
| Differences | Student identifies and explains many of the differences between the two. | Student identifies and explains some of the differences between the two. | Student identifies and explains few of the differences between the two. |
| Images | Images are clear and creative. | Most images are easy to understand, but at least two images do not fit. | Images are not easy to understand. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student makes few errors. | Student makes two or three errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Sarah, Plain and Tall Settings
Organize a Setting Walk in Your Classroom
Transform your room into sections that represent the prairie and the sea. Use props, images, or sounds to immerse students in each setting. Experiencing the differences firsthand helps students notice details and deepens understanding.
Guide students to brainstorm sensory details
Ask students to list what they might see, hear, smell, and feel in both the prairie and sea settings. Encouraging sensory language makes comparisons more vivid and memorable.
Model using a Venn diagram for comparison
Draw a large Venn diagram and place details from the text into each circle. Highlight similarities and differences to visually reinforce the comparison process. Visual aids help students organize their thoughts clearly.
Encourage creative expression through art or writing
Invite students to illustrate or write a short paragraph about a day in each setting. Creative activities let students connect personally and show their understanding in unique ways.
Review and reflect as a class
Hold a class discussion to share insights from the activity. Reflecting together helps reinforce key learning points and builds communication skills among students.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sarah, Plain and Tall Settings
What are the main settings in Sarah, Plain and Tall?
Sarah, Plain and Tall features two main settings: the prairie, where the story takes place, and Maine, where Sarah is from. The prairie is described as wide and open, while Maine is depicted through Sarah’s memories of the sea.
How do the prairie and the sea compare in Sarah, Plain and Tall?
The prairie is characterized by grass, fields, dirt roads, and freshwater ponds, located in the middle of the country. The sea is marked by salt water, sand dunes, shells, and sea birds along the coast. Both settings are vast, but differ in landscape, climate, and sensory details.
How can students create a compare and contrast storyboard for Sarah, Plain and Tall?
Students can use a template to list characteristics of the prairie in one column and the sea in another. Illustrate each setting with scenes or items from the story, highlighting both similarities and differences as described in the text.
Why is setting important in Sarah, Plain and Tall lessons?
The setting shapes the characters’ experiences and emotions. Comparing the prairie and the sea helps students understand Sarah’s feelings of homesickness and adaptation, making the story more relatable and deepening comprehension.
What are easy ways to teach compare and contrast using Sarah, Plain and Tall?
Use a visual organizer like a Venn diagram or storyboard to list and illustrate differences and similarities between the prairie and the sea. Encourage discussion and creative drawing to support engagement and critical thinking.
More Storyboard That Activities
Sarah, Plain and Tall
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