Activity Overview
The setting of The Cay plays an essential part in the novel. Students studying this book may benefit from the use of storyboards in identifying the different aspects of setting and their effect on the plot and characters. Remind students that setting includes the location, the time period, and the weather of a story. Then, ask them to create a three-cell storyboard depicting these three components of setting in the novel. Beneath each depiction, students should describe the image and explain the way that aspect of the setting contributes to the plot or character development in the novel.
Example The Cay Setting Exploration
Time Period
The time period of the novel is important since it occurs during World War II. Once the Dutch were attacked by Germany in 1940, their territories (including Curaçao) were in danger of attack. It is because of German attacks on the oil refineries and tankers that Phillip ends up stranded on the cay.
Geographical Location
The Cay is set in the Caribbean. This area of the world is full of many little islands. Because of this, Phillip and Timothy are able to find an island to survive on after the S.S. Hato sinks.
Weather and Time of Year
The weather in the Caribbean is tropical. At first, this makes it easier for Phillip and Timothy to survive. They do not need much warm clothing and find plenty of seafood and coconuts to eat. But the climate of the Caribbean also brings a danger of hurricanes. A massive hurricane kills Timothy and puts Phillip in grave danger.
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 that illustrates important settings in The Cay.
- Use the template your teacher provided.
- Describe each of the three components of setting - Time Period, Location, and Weather.
- Describe each setting and how it influences the plot or character development.
- Illustrate each setting in the cell with scenes, characters, and items.
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 The Cay plays an essential part in the novel. Students studying this book may benefit from the use of storyboards in identifying the different aspects of setting and their effect on the plot and characters. Remind students that setting includes the location, the time period, and the weather of a story. Then, ask them to create a three-cell storyboard depicting these three components of setting in the novel. Beneath each depiction, students should describe the image and explain the way that aspect of the setting contributes to the plot or character development in the novel.
Example The Cay Setting Exploration
Time Period
The time period of the novel is important since it occurs during World War II. Once the Dutch were attacked by Germany in 1940, their territories (including Curaçao) were in danger of attack. It is because of German attacks on the oil refineries and tankers that Phillip ends up stranded on the cay.
Geographical Location
The Cay is set in the Caribbean. This area of the world is full of many little islands. Because of this, Phillip and Timothy are able to find an island to survive on after the S.S. Hato sinks.
Weather and Time of Year
The weather in the Caribbean is tropical. At first, this makes it easier for Phillip and Timothy to survive. They do not need much warm clothing and find plenty of seafood and coconuts to eat. But the climate of the Caribbean also brings a danger of hurricanes. A massive hurricane kills Timothy and puts Phillip in grave danger.
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 that illustrates important settings in The Cay.
- Use the template your teacher provided.
- Describe each of the three components of setting - Time Period, Location, and Weather.
- Describe each setting and how it influences the plot or character development.
- Illustrate each setting in the cell with scenes, characters, and items.
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 The Cay Setting Exploration
Incorporate sensory details to bring The Cay’s setting to life
Enhance students’ understanding by having them add sensory details—what characters might see, hear, smell, taste, or feel—in their storyboard scenes. Encourage vivid descriptions to make the setting more immersive and relatable for all readers.
Guide students in brainstorming sensory words together
Ask the class to list words describing sounds, smells, textures, and sights from the Caribbean setting. Build this as a word bank students can use when creating their storyboards.
Model adding sensory language to a storyboard cell
Show students how to revise a basic description by including sensory details. For example, replace “the beach” with “the hot, gritty sand beneath Phillip’s feet and the salty sea air.” Demonstrate with a think-aloud for clarity.
Encourage peer feedback focused on sensory details
Have students share their storyboard cells in pairs or small groups. Partners should point out strong sensory language and offer ideas for making descriptions even more vivid.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Cay Setting Exploration
What is the setting of The Cay and why is it important to the story?
The Cay is set in the Caribbean during World War II, mainly on a small deserted island. This setting is crucial because the historical period and remote location create the survival challenges faced by Phillip and Timothy, shaping their experiences and growth throughout the novel.
How can students use a storyboard to explore the setting in The Cay?
Students can use a three-cell storyboard to illustrate and describe the time period, geographical location, and weather in The Cay. Each cell should show a scene with characters and items, accompanied by a brief explanation of how that aspect of the setting influences the plot or character development.
What are the three main components of setting students should identify in The Cay?
The three main components are: Time Period (World War II), Location (the Caribbean, specifically a small cay), and Weather (tropical climate with hurricanes). Each plays a vital role in the events and challenges in the story.
Why does the weather in The Cay matter to the characters’ survival?
The tropical weather in The Cay initially helps Phillip and Timothy survive with accessible food and mild temperatures. However, the risk of hurricanes creates dangerous situations, ultimately leading to a turning point in the plot and affecting the characters' fate.
What is an easy activity for teaching setting in The Cay to middle school students?
A simple yet effective activity is to have students create a setting map or storyboard showing the time period, location, and weather in The Cay. This helps them visualize how each aspect of the setting impacts the plot and characters, and supports deeper comprehension.
More Storyboard That Activities
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