Put a story in a new setting and see what changes. Seeing the same characters in a new time and place can help students understand what effects the setting has on a story. The results are often humorous, which will keep children engaged, but you can also use the resulting discussion to reveal the importance of setting in a story. Help children start approaching stories by asking why the story needs to take place in the setting it does.
Find out what television shows or movies your students enjoy. You can create a lesson that will engage their interest by working with them to analyze the characters and setting of that show. Pick one episode of a show or one scene from a movie to watch as a class. Lead a discussion about what decisions the characters made and why. Help children develop the habit of identifying what each character wants in the story.
One way to develop a student's sensitivity to setting is to simply ask him questions about the setting of a story or scene. Start with easy questions that define the main characteristics of the setting, such as day or night and inside or outside. Move on to the emotional and relational effects of the setting by asking questions like whether the setting is crowded or lonely and whether it is friendly or scary. If desired, create handouts where students can circle the words or images that match the setting of a given story.
Provide students with a handout that has a large circle divided into quarters with an X. Have them write a few words and draw a picture in each quadrant to describe a character. Put what the character wants in the top quadrant, what is stopping her in the bottom quadrant, her strengths in the left quadrant and her weaknesses in the right quadrant. Defining characters in these terms will prepare students to analyze character in terms of driving motivation, admirable qualities and the obstacles and weaknesses that are at the root of plot conflict.