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Read Chapters 9-14; Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 9-14

Ask for two student volunteers to read and act out the scenario on the Role-Play Scenario Worksheet. As the rest of the class watches the role-playing scene, have students think about the conflicts taking place in the scene. Ask: "Do you see any problems in the scene?"

will explain that just like we saw in the realistic scenario, conflicts exist in works of realistic fiction. I will hand out the Types of Plot Conflicts Handout to become familiar with the types of plot conflicts that were displayed in the classroom scene. I will read aloud the description of each plot conflict from the worksheet.

I will explain that although more than one plot conflict—or all four plot conflicts—can exist in any story, I will be focusing on Character vs. Character and Character vs. Self for the Realistic Fiction Genre and Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes. As I read the descriptions of the conflicts, I will identify which plot conflicts were shown in the Role-Play Scenario by looking at the Types of Plot Conflicts Handout. For each conflict, I will answer the following questions: Who is the conflict between? What is the cause of the conflict? Describe the tension in the conflict.

The first conflict I come across in the scenario is between two people, Mark and Juan. That answers the first question about who the conflict is between. Next, I will figure out what is the cause of the conflict. The friends are arguing over a trading card. Finally, I will describe the tension: Juan accuses Mark of being jealous. By recalling the Types of Plot Conflicts, I see that this plot conflict is an example of a Character vs. Character plot conflict because it is between two people. I will write this down on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. Note: See Plot Conflicts Chart 1 for specific examples. Save this chart for use with Lesson 5.

I will chart another plot conflict in the scenario by answering questions about the conflict I will record the information on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. Who is this conflict between? I see that Juan kicks a stone in anger. He’s upset that he argued with his best friend and he’s trying to figure out how to make it better. This conflict is an internal one; it is happening inside of Juan’s head. What is the cause of the conflict? Juan is upset that he accused his friend of jealousy. Finally, I will describe the tension in the conflict. In this case, Juan is angry with himself for messing things up with his friend. I can say that this is a Character vs. Self plot conflict.

Now, I will look for plot conflicts in Chapters 9 and 10 of Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes as I skim the chapters and read aloud parts that show a possible conflict. Note: Read aloud the first two sections of Chapter 9, ending with Gary saying, “See you later.”

Explain to students that the interactions between Ira Feldman and Steve and Michael Higgins display a Character vs. Character plot conflict. Walk students through the three bulleted questions (from step 2 in Direct Teaching) so they understand the details and tension in the plot conflict. Record the responses to the questions on Plot Conflicts Chart 1. I will continue reading to look for another plot conflict in Chapter 9. Note: Continue reading to the end of Chapter 9. Tell students that the chapter ends with Joe telling Gary to “keep out of his face.” This constitutes a Character vs. Character plot conflict. Walk students through the bulleted questions (from step 2 in Direct Teaching) so they understand this plot conflict thoroughly. Record the responses to the questions on Plot Conflicts Chart 1.

Next, I will read aloud Chapter 10. I will specifically look for Character vs. Self plot conflicts and answer the three questions bulleted questions (from step 2 in Direct Teaching) to gain more information about these conflicts. Note: Read the entire chapter, which is a complete internal dialogue and shows the conflicts Gary has within himself. Record the responses to the questions on Plot Conflicts Chart 1.

Ask: "How can I identify a plot conflict in a text?" Students should respond that you can identify a Character vs. Character conflict when two characters are opposing through a physical or emotional disagreement. You can identify a Character vs. Self conflict by looking for inner dialogue or evidence in the text of conflicting desires or emotions.

will read aloud the end of Chapter 11 and Chapters 12-14 of Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes. As we read, we will pause when we come across a Character vs. Character or a Character vs. Self plot conflict and chart the conflict on Plot Conflicts Chart 2. For example, at the end of Chapter 11, Gary discusses with Angeline wanting to be Joe Reed. Wishing to be someone else is evidence of Gary’s internal battle. Ask, "What is he conflicted about? How is this an example of a Character vs. Self plot conflict?" 

Furthermore, an example of a Character vs. Character plot conflict in Chapter 12 occurs between Mrs. Carlisle and Gary when Gary fails to turn in his report. In Chapter 13, Gary has a Character vs. Character conflict with Miss Langley. He is upset that she has assigned a large math assignment for homework when he wanted to prepare for the talent show. Gary experiences a Character vs. Character conflict when Ira Feldman laughs at him and makes fun of him for saying that Michael should have taken back his baseball card to get a new one.

As we find a conflict in Chapters 11-14, we will discuss and answer the plot conflict questions on Plot Conflicts Chart 2: Who is the conflict between? What is the cause of the conflict? Describe the tension in the conflict. Note: Examples are included on Plot Conflicts Chart 2. Plot Conflicts include: Mrs. Carlisle and Gary; Gary and himself. Save this chart for use with Lesson 5.

will identify plot conflicts in Chapters 15-19 and answer the following questions for each conflict: Who is the conflict between? What is the cause of the conflict? Describe the tension in the conflict. You will record your answers to the questions for each conflict on the Plot Conflicts Worksheet in your Student Packet. (See pages 18-19 in the Student Packet.)

will discuss the plot conflicts we have identified. We will read aloud the plot conflicts we have identified. As each conflict is read aloud, the class will decide what kind of plot conflict is presented, either Character vs. Character or Character vs. Self. We will make a prediction about what might happen to resolve each conflict.