Teach Literary Context with Ready-to-Use Task Cards

We are all products of the historical, social and cultural contexts in which we live. The texts we read are no different! Authors make conscious choices about the settings of their stories, and these settings play a significant role in shaping the characters’ choices as a text unfolds.

This set of 36 task cards has been created by our expert team to get your students thinking about the contexts that have shaped a text they have read. Each literary context task card features a question prompt that encourages students to analyze the historical, social or cultural background of a text. A student recording sheet is also included, making it easy for learners to capture and reflect on their insights.

Here are some example questions:

• What major historical events were happening during the time the text was set?
• How does the text respond to or comment on a specific historical event or era?
• What were the dominant beliefs or social norms during the time the text was set?
• How are the relationships in the text influenced by the social values of the time?
• What references to food, music, clothing or art reflect a specific culture?

This set of literary context task cards downloads as a full-colur PDF or editable Google Slides file. It includes an instruction page, 36 x task cards and a recording sheet for students.

Read on to learn more about how to use this versatile resource in your literature lessons!

Creative Uses to Explore the Context in Literature

These task cards are an excellent tool for fostering thoughtful discussions about literary context in a variety of classroom activities. Their open-ended nature allows for flexible use in whole-class discussions, small-group work or independent practice.

Here are some engaging ways to use the cards to explore the context of literature:

• Whole Class Activity: Hot Seat Discussion – Choose one student to place in the “hot seat”. This student answers a question prompt while classmates ask follow-up questions or provide additional insights.
• Small Group Activity: Reading Circle – Place the students into small groups, then provide each group with a selection of cards. Each student picks a card in turn to spark a discussion about the historical, social and cultural context of a class novel.
• Independent Activity: Daily Journal – Display a different card each morning or when students come inside after lunch to be completed as part of an ongoing journal about a particular text.

Download Now to Teach Context of Literature

Use the dropdown arrow on the Download button to choose between the editable Google Slides file or the easy-print PDF. Please note that you will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides file.

Print the task cards on cardstock to increase the durability of the resource. Cut the cards, then place them into a ziplock bag for safekeeping. Be sure to keep some recording sheets handy, too!

This adaptable resource provides an engaging way to scaffold students’ analysis of context across a range of texts and genres, helping them become more insightful, critical thinkers in the process.

This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Resources for Teaching Literary Context

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